Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident as widespread flooding hits Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The fire brigade has received more than 200 calls since this morning, with crews finding cars stuck in flood water and evacuating residents from flooded homes and rising waters.
Some 17 people have been rescued so far.
A vehicle is submerged near the River Devon, in Bottesford, Leicestershire
A vehicle is submerged near the River Devon, in Bottesford, Leicestershire
PA
Judi Beresford, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said: “Flooding poses a serious risk to lives and property, and we urge everyone to take these warnings seriously.
“Our control room and crews are working tirelessly to assist those in need and to keep people safe.
“We are working with our partners to reduce the impact of this major incident and ask the public to avoid flooded routes when travelling and never to enter floodwater.”
