Town centre evacuated after flood

Some people in Worksop had to be rescued by boat

About 70 homes and businesses in north Nottinghamshire were evacuated after heavy rains caused serious flooding.

The entire town centre of Worksop was sealed off by police while fire brigade teams helped with the evacuation.

The teams arrived at about 0900 BST after water levels continued to rise in the area.

The leisure centre in Retford was turned into a shelter for people evacuated from Worksop, including holidaymakers from a caravan park.

The centre was also on standby to receive people from South Yorkshire as engineers secured a dam near Rotherham.

Record rescues

"We have staff from the St John's Ambulance on hand to give care or comfort while they're here, if necessary," said Graham Robinson from the St John's Ambulance in Retford.

"The county council has also opened Cumberland House in Haworth, disused sheltered accommodation, for people to go to as well."

We are now used to flooding but in midsummer, it's just not expected Frank Swann, chief fire officer

In Attenborough, south of Nottingham, parts of the village were under several feet of water with the football club and cricket ground affected.

Train services were also cancelled with the Nottingham to Liverpool and Nottingham to Newark routes closed along with the Mansfield to Worksop line.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Trent at Sawley and said people with homes and businesses at Sawley Lock and Sawley Marina should take immediate action.

A flood watch from Castle Donington to Cromwell Weir is also in place meaning the river may overflow onto farmland and low-lying roads from Attenborough to North Muskham.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue said they had rescued more people during Monday's floods than they would normally rescue in a year.

They said 124 people had to be helped from homes and businesses across the county.

Chief Fire Officer, Frank Swann, said they were ready to help. "I think it's quite extraordinary, partly because of the time of year.

"We are now used to flooding but in midsummer, it's just not expected. As always, the fire and rescue service responded, we coped and we're there to give assistance to anyone that needs it."

Roads closed

Water rose in Lambley, Woodborough, Burton Joyce and Lowdham after the second bout of flooding in four days.

Four emergency rest shelters were opened in Nottinghamshire on Monday evening to help those affected and almost 300 homes had to be evacuated in Lowdham.

A total of 28 roads remain closed in the county with the worst-affected routes on the A1 at Markham Moor, the A614 Ollerton Roundabout, the A612 in Southwell and the Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route.

Problems started when 40mm (1.5ins) of rain fell in 24 hours, compared with the June average of 60mm for the whole month.