'Do not travel' and flood warnings as rain continues

Heavy rain has caused disruption in the North West

Rail operators are urging people not to travel on services between the north west of England and Scotland due to flooding on the railway line.

It comes after heavy rainfall on Wednesday, with a 24-hour amber weather warning remaining in place across north-west England until 12:00 BST.

TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast said services from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Oxenholme to Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh were "significantly disrupted" and customers should find alternative arrangements.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our priority and we are urging customers not to travel," a statement read.

The Environment Agency has also issued a number of flood alerts across the North West.

The Environment Agency issued a number of flood alerts across the North West.

Flood alerts and warnings are in place across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria.

Flooding is expected in Highfield Drain and Finchetts Gutter at Abbot's Mead in Chester, Sefton Street Watercourse at Brierfield in Pendle and Walverden Water in Nelson.

The agency said water levels were rising in those areas due to the recent heavy rainfall.

It said residents were "strongly urged to stay safe and be aware of their surroundings".

The warning comes after the Met Office issued a amber and yellow weather warnings for parts of the North West on Wednesday, which are due to expire at midday on Thursday.

Forecasters said "flooding and disruption is likely", as well as "fast flowing or deep floodwater" which could "cause a danger to life".

Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses could occur, the Met Office warned.

It is also likely the heavy rain will cause delays or cancellations on trains and bus services, as well as difficult driving conditions and some road closures.