Campsite evacuated overnight due to flooding

The campsite was flooded overnight

Dozens of people had to be evacuated from a campsite overnight due to flooding.

Paul Linford, from Sunderland, was inside a caravan with his partner, four-year-old grandaughter and pet dog when they had to be rescued from the site in Seaburn at about 02:55 BST.

The local authority said the flooding at Seaburn Camp was due to a blocked culvert and it was using a large capacity pump to remove water from the site.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before at this location," a spokesperson said.

Mr Linford said when he went to bed on Wednesday "there was grass underneath" the caravan.

"At about two o'clock in the morning I heard this commotion," he said.

People sleeping in tents nearby were being evacuated from the site due to flooding, he said.

Mr Linford said he had to wake a child who was still fast asleep in a tent as it was being submerged in water.

Council officials are still on the site in Seaburn

There were about 100 vans on the site, he said.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) said 29 caravans were affected by the water, which was up to 30 centimetres (12in) deep.

People were in tents when the floods hit

Sunderland City Council said it was made aware of the flooding at 03:00 BST and that council officers remained at the site assisting campers.

"As water from overnight and today’s rain continues to enter the culvert, work to reduce the water level and clear the blockage continues," they said.

TWFRS said it received an emergency call at 02:55 BST about "several residents being trapped in their caravans due to flash flooding".

It said the crew assessed the situation and found that there was "no risk to life".

The fire service left the site at 04:34 BST.