A MOTHER and her young son were pulled to safety after their car became stranded in a river near Great Alne on Saturday afternoon.

The woman, who was on her way back to Kenilworth after visiting relatives in the area, tried to cross the ford near the Haselor crossroads, but the water was too deep and flooded the car's engine.

She called the emergency services and firefighters from Alcester went to her rescue.

Leading firefighter David Laight, one of the crew of six called to the scene, said: "The woman was distressed when we arrived but we managed to calm her down We pushed the car out of the water and left it to dry out for about 20 minutes then we were able to fire up the engine and send her on her way.

"She was quite pleased with what we did for her. She was panicking when we arrived and said that the water had been rising all the time she was there."

The rescue was the only flood call for the Alcester crew, despite heavy rain on Friday which caused havoc throughout the county. Warwickshire police had 35 calls on Saturday morning and lanes around the Wootton Wawen area were reported to be flooded.

Leading Firefighter Laight offered advice for drivers who find themselves facing swollen waterways.

"Find an alternative route, or if it is not too deep slow down and give plenty of revs on the engine and just creep through.

"If you get stuck, don't panic and call for help if you've got a mobile phone."