More than 200 people rescued in floods in Cumbria town

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The centre of Cockermouth is under several feet of water, as heavy rain continues to fall

About 200 people have been rescued by the emergency services from the town of Cockermouth, as floods hit Cumbria.

RAF helicopters have airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses.

The Environment Agency said the situation was "very serious". Police said water levels in Cockermouth centre had reached more than 2.5m (8ft 2in).

Cumbria police say one of its officers is missing after a bridge collapsed over a flooded river in Workington.

'Atrocious conditions'

A spokesman said a search operation was under way and a liaison officer had been assigned to support the family.

Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions.

In mid- and north Wales, roads were closed and train services disrupted, and a brief power cut in Anglesey affected 2,000 homes.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had spoken to Cumbria's chief constable Craig Mackey to offer support and help.

ON THE SCENE - 0500 GMT The BBC's Laura Bicker, in Cockermouth Cockermouth High Street looks more like a rapidly flowing river at the moment. Shops that had just done up their fronts for Christmas are now only accessible by boat. The RNLI, the fire service, mountain rescue and the police are all here working together to try to evacuate people from their houses. Overhead, there's a helicopter from the RAF taking people off the roofs of their houses and from windows. It looks very much like a disaster zone and it's feared that the river levels are still due to rise further. Flood concerns in Scotland Wales warning over rising rivers

He said: "Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by these floods and our thanks go out to the emergency services who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who is travelling to Cockermouth, said the situation was "very serious".

He told BBC Breakfast: "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. The rain gauge at Seathwaite registered 314mm [12.4in] in 24 hours which could make it the wettest day ever recorded, and we've seen the impact of that with the terrible flooding which has affected people."

The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 28 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 63 less serious flood watches.

In Scotland there are nine severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 14 flood watches in force.

In Cumbria, the main bridge into Workington on the A597 collapsed along with Lorton Bridge near Cockermouth and Southwaite footbridge in the town.

KEY INFORMATION Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Environment Agency Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams, to help with the rescue effort.

The RAF said conditions were "atrocious", with water levels in some parts of the town reaching about 8ft (almost 2.5m).

"The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past two hours with people being forced to break through the rooftops of houses as they frantically seek escape from rising floodwaters," it said in a statement.

Wing Commander Peter Lloyd said: "We are concentrating on getting people away from imminent danger and delivering them to what is comparative safety."

'Desperate'

RAF Squadron Leader Dave Webster later said more than 50 people had been rescued by helicopter, while about 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews.

"There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes," he added.

This is a very, very serious situation Robert Runcie, Environment Agency Floods: Your pictures

Earlier, Ch Supt Steve Johnson said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted."

John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering".

"I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said.

"It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters." About 1,200 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick lost power on Thursday night, although United Utilities said later that services had been restored to 660 properties.

Lifeboats have been rescuing people from their homes in Cockermouth

The Ministry of Defence said the Army had been drafted in to help with door-to-door work in Cumbria.

Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and several were turned into emergency shelters for more than 200 Cockermouth evacuees.

Robert Runcie, the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management, said at least 500 homes could be flooded in and around Cockermouth.

There are currently four severe flood warnings in Cumbria, in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge.

The Environment Agency describes a severe flood warning as a threat of "extreme danger to life and property".

There are nine severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn, Yarrow Water, Teviot Water, the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Teith at Callander.

BBC WEATHER 24-hour forecast Forecast published at 1200 BST, 19 November 2009 UK forecast at BBC Weather

A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close and there is flooding on the line at Lockerbie.

Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in much of Dumfries and Galloway and fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists.

In mid and north Wales, there have also been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey.

The AA said it was "flat out" rescuing stricken cars and advised against all but essential travel.

Richard Westmoreland, the motoring organisation's water rescue technician, said: "Conditions in Cumbria have been horrendous - the worst I've seen."

High winds

During a 24-hour period Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively.

CUMBRIA RECEPTION CENTRES Cockermouth Secondary School Keswick Convention Centre Ulverston Victoria Hall School Penrith Leisure Centre St Joseph's School, Workington

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground.

People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria.