LEOMINSTER MP Bill Wiggin and his three young children were lucky to be able to escape from their vehicle as they battled to get back to his constituency last Friday night.

Mr Wiggin and his children, aged 5, 2 and 1, first encountered problems when stuck in traffic on the M42 and were then forced to take to the country roads after the M5 and M50 were closed by police.

But it was when travelling between Droitwich and Worcester - 10 hours after leaving London - that disaster nearly struck.

"I was driving through what looked like just a large puddle when suddenly the water went over the bonnet of the Landrover and we started to float," he explained.

"The water was about 5 ft deep and I think that there were other vehicles submerged. I was more fortunate and was able to carry my young children to safety on my shoulders, while wading through water chest high."

Mr Wiggin and his family found shelter at The Pear Tree Inn and Country Hotel, that provided them with mattresses to sleep on for the night.

They did not give up despite losing the car and the following day tried again to reach Herefordshire but with flood waters rising and roads blocked, Mr Wiggin decided to return to London.

He added: "Despite not being able to reach my constituency, throughout the weekend I have stayed in regular contact with my constituents and am fully aware of the devastation that the flooding has caused them.

"Many of them have also contacted my office and I will be doing everything I can to help. I have been in touch with Herefordshire Council's Leader Roger Phillips about the role of the Environment Agency and have also discussed the situation in Herefordshire and Worcestershire with Phil Woolas, the Government Minister responsible for flooding.

"I urged the Minister to take immediate action to help my constituents and will continue to press the Government on this important issue."