EMERGENCY services are warning motorists not to drive through floodwater on roads after a day of heavy rain on Saturday, w2ith up to 50mm of rainfall.

Fire fighters from Pershore and Stourport were called out to rescue three people from a vehicle trapped in floods at New Road, Cutnall Green, Droitwich, on Saturday evening.

And this morning, a woman was rescued from a car in floods at Crabbe Lane, Wadborough, by crews from Pershore and Worcester.

The message being sent out by all emergency services today is: do not drive through flood water. The water may be deeper than you think or there may be hidden dangers.

Among the roads reported closed by flooding was the A44, which was closed both at Wood Norton, near Evesham, and at Cotheridge, near Worcester, though both sections of road were reopened on Sunday morning.

Roads closed in the Evesham-Pershore area included the Jubilee Bridge at Fladbury, Brooke Lane, Cropthorne and the Green, Charlton, as well as the A46 at Beckford.

The ford at Walcot Lane near Pershore was described by police as flowing swiftly , and motorists were told not to try crossing it.

The Severn at Kempsey rose over 2.5 metres in 12 hours, reported the Environment Agency, and in Upton, the flood gates at New Street were closed this morning.

Although no flood warning for the Severn in Worcester has yet been issued, Hylton Road will be closed for three hours from 6pm today for flood pumps to be installed. Traffic will be diverted via Henwick Road while the work is carried out, though local access will still be maintained.

A flood alert is in place for the Avon at Evesham and Strensham. At 7am today, the level at the Evesham gauge was 2.76 metres and rising. A peak level of between 2.6 and 3.1 metres is expected to occur on Sunday afternoon. The level at the Bredon gauge was 2.19 metres and rising. A peak level of between 2.8 and 3.3 metres is expected to occur on Monday afternoon. Rises in river levels are due to persistent rainfall on Saturday. Further rainfall over the next few days may cause further increases in levels.

Flood alerts were also reported for the River Leadon at Bosbury and Bromsberrow, the Bow and Piddle brooks east of Worcester, and the River Frome at Bromyard and Bishops Frome.

The Met Office is currently forecasting that more persistent rain will arrive later today and into the night, with winds increasing strong to gale force into Monday.