Heavy rain floods roads in Lancashire

Image caption, Surface water is affecting roads around the county

Several roads and properties have been flooded across Lancashire after heavy rain throughout the afternoon.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received about 100 calls on Tuesday afternoon from people reporting flooding throughout the county.

Skelmersdale and South Ribble were the worst affected areas, a spokeswoman said.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood watch for the Rivers Yarrow and Lostock.

The Met Office has also put in place a severe weather warning until 2200 BST.

It said more than 50mm of rain fell in parts of the county in just one hour.

Bad weather

Elaine Finch, a child minder from Whittle-le-Woods, said flood water had risen almost to the level of her doorstep.

"I had to go out to school and I had to paddle to get out of the house, paddle across the bottom of Cow Well Lane, paddle into the chemist and paddle across the road to school."

Roads closed around the region include Croston Road and Coote Lane in Lostock Hall, and School Lane in Thornby.

West Paddock in Leyland, Euxton Lane in Euxton and Digmoor Road in Skelmersdale are also closed due to flooding.

Lancashire police have warned drivers to take extra care on the roads in the bad weather.

Sgt Sean Cunningham advised motorists to use their lights, watch their speed and keep their distance from other drivers.