TV star runs through the floods (From Hereford Times)

TV star runs through the floods

11:40am Monday 23rd July 2007 in

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TV presenter Richard Hammond has told how he ran 16 miles in the dark to his Herefordshire home after abandoning his car in the floods.

The Top Gear host was driving from London to his home close to Bromesberrow near Ledbury on Friday, but after 12 hours had only got as far as Cheltenham, and could see no sign of things improving.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he described the situation on the roads as being like a war zone, and said that many people were preparing to spend the night in their cars.

With his daughter Willow due to celebrate her fourth birthday the next day, Mr Hammond was determined to complete the journey.

He said: "Luckily I had my running gear and a waterproof jacket with me in the car, so I decided to run the rest of the way. It was pitch black, but I just put my ipod on and went."

After three and a half hours jogging, Mr Hammond made it home at 5.30am on Saturday morning, where he had a hot shower and a bacon sandwich before joining his family for the birthday celebrations.