School evacuated as flooding hits

Pupils and staff were forced to leave Helmdon Primary School after water up to 3.2ft (1m) deep hit the high street and 10 properties were flooded.

Fire crews worked to free elderly residents who were trapped in their homes in the village.

The villages of Syresham, Silverstone and Wappenham, in the south of the county, have all reported flooding.

Police, ambulance and fire services are holding emergency planning meetings to address the problems.

Northamptonshire Police have urged drivers in the area, particularly those using the southbound M1, to be cautious due to standing water.

Early school holiday

Shena Town, from the King's Head pub in Syresham, said: "It's been horrendous with thunder and lightning and torrential rains.

"The roads are flooded and cars are stuck.

"People at the moment are trying to get a car out, near the stream, and it's totally stuck and I know there are some houses flooded by the stream and people are having to vacate their houses."

A reception centre has been set up by the Red Cross and Salvation Army in Helmdon.

Pupils had to leave Helmdon Primary School early on the last day of term.

Head teacher Sue Blackburn told BBC News: "There's nothing we can do at the moment - we tried to stem the flow.

"A local businessman in the village kindly lent us some special bags which actually absorb a lot of water.

"But there is nothing that could absorb the amount of water which is running through the school now. So I think it's a question of just letting the water drain away."

Bill Wiggins, from Northants Fire and Rescue Service, said without further rain the flood water could take up to 10 hours to sudside and urged residents to stay in their homes.

Mr Wiggins said: "The advice from the emergency planning officer is that if they are happy to stay there, and there's no immediate medical emergency, that is the best place for them to be.

"At present, the best advice is to stay put. They are being monitored by people in the neighbourhood."

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