MOTORISTS had to be rescued from their cars after the main Worcester to Hereford road was submerged in water.

The A4103 road was closed by police one mile from Bransford during last night's rush hour.

Hundreds of cars were diverted along the Malvern road, but by 6pm that had become gridlocked and motorists were urged to find alternative routes.

Some drivers ignored signs and attempted to motor their way through the flood water resulting in them becoming trapped and having to be rescued by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Yesterday's floods caused chaos across Herefordshire and Worcestershire with several major routes left under water and residents and businesses hit by rising water levels.

Worcestershire's home Twenty20 Cup cricket match against local rivals Warwickshire Bears, which was scheduled to take place today, was cancelled after flood water engulfed the New Road ground, leaving county officials to count the cost of lost hospitaliy revenue as well as a huge clean-up operation, set to run into thousands of pounds.

Meanwhile, Lindridge Primary School, near Tenbury Wells, and Tenbury Wells High School had to close.

The high school was also used as an emergency care centre after residents were evacuated from their homes.

Fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie said about 100 firefighters had been involved in rescue operations around the two counties after the service received about 100 flood- related calls, with crews concentrated in Tenbury, Newnham Bridge, Little Hereford and in Eastham.

Five vehicles got stuck in flood water near Tenbury Wells yesterday.

"They're just ignoring the signs completely. They're putting their lives at risk, said Mr Mackie.

He said the service had been called to save people trapped in cars, including a baby and three adults marooned in rising waters in Eastham, near Tenbury.

"In the end, a tractor managed to pull this vehicle out of the flooded lane," he said.

Two crews of firefighters and a rescue boat from the brigade was also sent to help flood rescue operations in Yorkshire. They returned yesterday having rescued 75 people from the Sheffield area, including two pregnant women and an elderly man suffering from hypothermia.

The brigade's high-volume pump, capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute remained at Ulley Reservoir, near Sheffield, where a huge rescue operation was trying to prevent the dam's walls collapsing.

Flood defences in Upton-upon-Severn and Bewdley were put up, but the Environment Agency said flood barriers would not go up along the riverside in Worcester, although it was being monitored overnight.

In Knightwick, staff at the Talbot Inn on the banks of the River Teme at Knightwick were preparing to welcome customers despite water lapping at the door.

Owner Annie Clift said there was just over a foot of water outside the pub but she had ferried staff into work and would do the same for customers. She said the flood water was not a problem for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

"We are still open. If anyone can get here I will wine and dine them and even put them up for the night. They can leave their cars outside the flood and ring me and I will ferry them in. Canoes are welcome," she said.

Staff and customers will have to use the back door, she added. But it was business as usual.

"The last really big flood was in 2000 and this is getting close to that and it is still coming up. That was in the winter. I have never had it like this in June," said Miss Clift, who has run the Talbot for 25 years.

Yesterday there were severe flood warnings, meaning imminent danger to life and property, on the River Teme, from Ludlow to Bransford Bridge, including Tenbury, Newnham Bridge and Eardiston.

The River Severn had a flood warning (affecting homes, businesses and main roads), between Worcester and Tewkesbury, including Upton and Kempsey, and the Teme from Bransford Bridge to Powick.

Worcestershire County Council implemented its County Flood Plan, which involved working with the emergency services, district councils and Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Nick Riding, emergency planning manager, said the council sent officers out to decide on road closures.

by James Connell and Kate Yates