Drivers battle as flash floods follow a deluge

Between 6am and 7am, a sudden downpour of between 10mm and 15mm of rainwater caused flash floods on roads surrounding already water-saturated fields.

While it had stopped raining by the mid-morning, weather forecasts suggested that both those in vulnerable properties and drivers should remain alert.

The worst hit areas on Thursday were at the site of Knight's Cider on the B4210 Cowleigh Road at Storridge, which was briefly impassable to cars due to floods.

The A449 road between Malvern and Ledbury also suffered from high surface water levels and a series of enormous puddles made the network of B roads through and around Alfrick treacherous to drivers.

A car also became stranded in water in the A4211 at Guarlford.

Environment Agency flood warning officer, Anthony Perry, said: "A lot of small ditches couldn't take the strain and there was a lot of flooding in low lying land.

"However, we haven't had a single case of property flooding in our area and, to our knowledge, all roads stayed open.

"We think the worst is over but people need to be cautious about what could happen in the next few days because the forecast isn't good and the ground's very saturated. We've got to be mindful of flooding."

Mike Davis from the Worcester-shire Highways Partnership also warned that the A4103 at Bransford and the B4211 Hanley Road in Upton, usually the first roads to flood, were causing concern.

He said: "Water is as least half way across at the moment and if the level keeps on rising then those roads will be closed."

If there was more rain he warned drivers who usually use cross country lanes to stick to the main roads.

Flood warnings have been issued for the River Severn, both at Upton and Worcester, although hopes are that the river levels will rise only a couple of inches before stabilising.

To find more information call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or in an emergency call the Tewkesbury flood warning officer on 01684 850951.