Homes evacuated as flooding hits region

Fire crews helped more than 40 residents from their properties

People have been rescued from their homes due to flooding while roads and rail services have also been disrupted as heavy rain hits north-west England.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rain across the region.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said a number of homes had been evacuated in Bowles Street, Bootle, with fire crews helping more than 40 people from their properties. Firefighters used a rescue sled to help some people evacuate from their homes.

There were temporary road closures in place in Bootle, too. Rail services have also been affected by flooding including Northern's Southport to Wigan Wallgate service and Merseyrail's Chester and Ellesmere Port lines.

Some residents were helped from their homes using a rescue sled

Six fire engines were at the flooding on Bowles Street - and its surrounding streets - at its height at about 14:45 BST.

MFRS said a number of residents were assisted in evacuating their homes while some chose to stay put in their properties.

Of those who did evacuate, the fire service said some took refuge at a local community centre, or have found alternative accommodation.

It said water levels are currently receding, and the incident is being scaled down.

MFRS said it is working with partners to establish the level of damage to affected properties adding the fire service will remain at scene for some time.

Some roads have been closed due to the heavy rain

Queens Drive, by Dovedale Road, has been closed as a precautionary safety measure during the heavy rain.

Liverpool City Council said the road, where Elaine and Philip Marco became trapped in their car and died in deep flood water last Ausgust, is expected to reopen early tomorrow morning.

They were also closures in the Seaforth Road and Knowsley Road area in Bootle.

National Rail said the railway in the Warrington Central area has flooded meaning trains between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington Central may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or diverted.

Merseyrail said due to flooding it expects rail replacement buses will run on both the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines until Tuesday.

Arriva North West posted on X due to significant local flooding in Seaforth, Bootle and Skelmersdale, bus services in these areas are subject to significant delays and possible cancellations.

It advised people to check before travelling and apologised to customers for the inconvenience.