North West flooding: Clean-up continues after people rescued

Flooding affecting parts of northern England has "largely subsided" and the clean-up is continuing, Cheshire Fire and Rescue said.

Heavy rain left people stranded and roads and rail lines blocked in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

The Met Office said 19mm of rain fell in the North West in eight hours on Wednesday, on top of heavy rain that hit the region on Sunday and Monday.

Seven flood warnings remain in place, according to the Environment Agency.

They include rivers in Poynton, Little Bollington, Heatley, Whaley Bridge, Prestbury and Altrincham.

A 13-year-old boy was rescued from Happy Valley Nature Reserve in Hazel Grove, Stockport, after he became stranded by flowing water.

One of the firefighters involved in the initial rescue fell into the "fast-flowing" water and also had to be rescued.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) described the rescue, using an inflatable path, as "difficult" and involving "acts of bravery".

North West Ambulance Service confirmed two patients had been taken to hospital after they were called out at 17:00 BST on Wednesday.

Firefighters rescued 11 people from flooded properties in Poynton, Cheshire, and 11 people and four dogs in Bramhall, Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Jackie Carter, who lives in Bramhall, said: "I was working from home yesterday and saw the water starting to come over the patio at the back of the house.

"Within two hours we were being evacuated. It's the second time in three years - the first time we were out of our house for 11 months.

"I saved as much as I could, photographs and stuff like that, but there's only a certain amount you can do."

Martin Ward from Poynton was shocked when he returned to his house earlier and saw the flood damage.

"The sofa is upside, the freezer is on the floor; the power of the water was just incredible."

He said his family was effectively homeless after about 2ft of water burst through the house.

"We're in limbo; we're a displaced family at the moment," he said. "We've nowhere to go.

"Hopefully the insurance.... can find us some accommodation but for how long I've no idea."

Cheshire East Council said it had responded to more than 150 highways-related flooding calls overnight.

Conservationists are assessing the damage at Lyme Park in Disley, Cheshire, which remains closed after severe flooding.

Lyme's lead ranger Chris Dunkerley said: "There is widespread and extensive damage to paths and roads around Lyme, especially close to the streams and ponds that overflowed their banks."

Bollington in Cheshire was affected by flooding. Lorna Hale, who lives there, praised the community spirit and said many locals had helped firefighters.

Aled Seago, who is curate of the parish church in Poynton, said the weather was "very intense, short bursts of rain".

He added: "We just about saved our youth worker's house but it was a close call - the water was about an inch away from his front door. Someone joked that we needed Noah."

The rail line between Manchester Airport and Wilmslow, Cheshire, was blocked due to flooding, but has since reopened, and the A555 in Stockport, which has flooded for a second time in a week, remains shut between the Woodford Oil Terminal and the A34.

Floodwater was pumped out of Glebe Farm caravan park near Congleton. The water still got into shops and storage areas where dozens of caravans were parked.

Rob Lomas, the park owner, said: "Things were just floating around and some of the caravans were just well under the water - I've never seen it like this before."

Police are warning drivers not to ignore road closure signs or attempt to drive through water.

Stockport Council tweeted there had been reports of drivers moving barriers that are in place to close the road at Bramhall Green roundabout.

Norbury Hall Primary School in Stockport, which had been due to act as a polling station for the Hazel Grove by-election, has been flooded. A mobile polling station has been set up at a nearby pub.

Police in Wilmslow, Cheshire, said officers were "dealing with flooding" and had evacuated affected homes, with Oakenclough Children's Centre open as a rest centre.

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