Flooded schools shut for clean-up

Homes in Frankley, Birmingham, were also flooded

Two schools in Birmingham have been closed after they were flooded during heavy rain at the weekend.

Pupils at Montgomery Primary School in Sparkbrook and Shenley Court School, Northfield, have been told to stay at home while the clean-up continues.

David Ferman, head teacher at Shenley Court, said a large part of the school was "seriously flooded", including dining halls and many offices.

On Saturday, West Midlands Fire Service took over 400 calls in four hours.

South Birmingham and Halesowen were the areas worst hit by flooding.

Mr Ferman went to Shenley Court School at the weekend to inspect the damage and said he found some parts were about 1ft (30.5cm) deep in water.

"A lot of that water has subsided now but of course we are left with the filth and the damage caused by that."

Patients rescued

About 20 houses had to be evacuated when a brook burst its banks and flooded in Woodman Road, Halesowen, on Saturday evening.

In Birmingham, an 86-year-old man on a dialysis machine and eight others were rescued from Drayton Road, Frankley.

And in Oberon Close, Frankley, a further 20 properties had to be evacuated.

Ambulance crews had to rescue eight patients from Selly Oak Hospital's Brain Injury Clinic, which was several feet under water.

In the Bournbrook area of the city flooding made Bristol Road impassable and damaged six homes.

And in Wollaston, Stourbridge, the canal suffered a major breach and most of the water flowed out.