Who doesn't love a lock in?

It's been a challenging start to "dry January" for the villagers of Somersham in Suffolk - many of whom stayed in the pub after quiz night when their routes home were cut off by floods.

Emily Platt, 22, from Holbrook and about 20 others all stayed in the Duke of Marlborough near Ipswich.

Image source, Emily Platt

She told BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin at Breakfast: "They announced it during the quiz that nearby roads were flooded.

"We were trying to get home and roads were completely impassable. We realised it was a lost cause so headed back to the pub.

"We are regulars at the pub and they are always so welcoming. We battened down the hatches and decided to stay for the night.

Image source, Emily Platt

We must give a special shout out to April and the team at the Duke of Marlborough, and the residents of Somersham who delivered airbeds and supplies.

"We did have a drink, to help us get to sleep for the night."

Unfortunately, Mrs Platt's team didn't place in the quiz, but a night-long lock in a pub?

You win some, you lose some.

Image source, Emily Platt

Image source, Emily Platt

Brian Farmer
BBC News, Bedford

A four-star riverside hotel in Bedford remains open for business, despite being hit by flooding.

Large areas of the car park at The Kingfisher, in Cardington Road, were under water after the River Great Ouse burst its banks.

Image source, Brian Farmer/BBC

But general manger Chris Roberts said only a small amount of water had got inside and the hotel, which backs on to the river, was running normally.

He said flooding had been worse at Christmas 2020.

"The car park is flooded but we expect that to drain in a day or two," he said.

"Only a bit of water has gone inside and we’ve cleaned that up.

"We’re open for as usual."

Image source, Brian Farmer/BBC

He added: "It’s not as bad as it was at Christmas 2020, when we were in lockdown.

"We’ve done a lot of mitigation in terms of flood defences since then so we were prepared."

Always frustrating when you have to park so far away from the supermarket... but there's no choice at this Aldi in Leighton Buzzard.

The car park is submerged due to the high water levels on the River Ouzel - the highest on record since 1993.Video courtesy of Eleanor Arnold who sent us this clip while on her way to school.

If you'd like to send us your pictures email look.east@bbc.co.uk or by WhatsApp on 0800 169 1830 (usual data rates apply).

Sam Read
BBC Look East

A man from Waterdell, Leighton Buzzard, says he is considering selling his property after repeated flooding in his garden.

Anthony Molloy has lived in his home for 26 years, but it has now flooded three times.

"This is the worst one we've had," he said.

"It was creeping up the garden coming up a few inches every 15 minutes.

"Will someone want to buy it if they know it's going to happen?"

Hear more on BBC Three Counties Radio.

Image source, Sam Read/ BBC

Image source, Sam Read/ BBC

Image source, Sam Read/ BBC

London Northwestern has posted on X, external to say there's flooding between Bedford and Bletchley, and services are likely to be delayed.

It's a bit of a nightmare on many of the region's roads this morning but there's some good news if you're heading into the capital from the east of our region.

Greater Anglia are reporting a good service this morning with the mainline from Norwich, Ipswich and Manningtree running to time.

Latest Greater Anglia updates here, external.

Image source, PA Media

Surface spray will cause problems this morning but it's set to become drier and colder. Here's Kawser Quamer with the Friday forecast.

Parents, time to dust of the home school textbooks.

Another school has been closed due to adverse weather conditions - Ickford School, to the west of Aylesbury, this time.

Keep tuned in to your local BBC Radio station to hear more about how the weather conditions have affected your area.

BBC Suffolk's Luke Deal has spotted cars trying to get through a flood on Coddenham Road, in Needham Market.

He told me: "I wouldn't put my car through it."

Me neither, Luke.

Image source, Luke Deal/ BBC

Suffolk County Council has confirmed Mendlesham, Sommersham and Old Newton Church of England Primary School are all closed today due to "severe local flooding".

You can get more Suffolk school closure details here, external.

Allow some extra time for your morning commute and flooding has closed a number of roads across the region.

This was the scene in Whittlesey a little earlier as our reporter John Devine headed out.

Image source, John Devine/BBC

Despite the heavy downpours, Norfolk is seemingly better than many other places in the East.

"Although some localised flooding is likely, Norfolk Fire and Rescue tells us they've not received any weather related callouts," said BBC Radio Norfolk.

Image source, GOV

There are still two flood warnings in the county - The River Nar in west Norfolk and River Yare just south of Norwich.

The Environment Agency, external are monitoring river levels.

Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk

BBC Radio Suffolk's Kelly McCormack tells us that Gislingham Primary School, near to Eye, is closed due to safety concerns.

There are flooded roads around the area.

We'll have today's weather forecast for the region with you very soon.

Dan Holley
BBC Look East weather

The gauge on the River Ouzel in Leighton Buzzard - which has data back to 1993 - has measured its highest water levels on record this morning at 1.88m (6.1ft).

This is already 17cm (6.7in) higher than its previous record on 4 October 2020... and still rising.

Bedfordshire Police has posted on Facebook, external that "a number" of houses have been evacuated due to flooding.

There are no further details just yet - we have a reporter on the way.

The force adds: "There are road closures in place on Hockliffe Road at the junction of Brook Street and Appendine Way.

"We are working with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue to support the residents affected.

"Don't be tempted to enter floodwater for any reason. If someone is in difficulty, please call 999."

A flood warning has been issued for Godmanchester and Brampton due to high levels of water in the River Great Ouse.

"It's one of seven the Environment Agency has put in place across our area - following persistent rain overnight adding to existing high water levels," said BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Image source, GOV

Dozens of less serious flood alerts are also in force in the county along stretches of the rivers Nene, Cam, and Granta.

Keep tuned to your local BBC radio station for travel updates via BBC Sounds.

BBC Essex reporter Stuart Woodward tells us a road in Writtle is impassable due to flooding.

It's on Lordship Road, near Writtle College, where a stream has overflowed and it's causing problems for drivers.

Image source, Stuart Woodward/BBC

"Several vehicles are trying to make their way through the expansive water that I would guess is a couple of hundred yards," he said.

A number of major routes in Essex have fallen victim to flooding this morning.

BBC Essex report the A120 is shut in both directions at Wix.

The road is also closed eastbound before the Crown Interchange north of Colchester... and flood water has closed one lane of the M25 clockwise from junction 26 for Waltham Abbey.

Image source, GOV

Three flood warnings are in place in Essex at the moment at the River Roding at Loughton, the River Cam at Newport and a Bumpstead Brook through Steeple Bumpstead.

Flood alerts are in force for the rivers Colne, Chelmer, Wid and Can, and the River Roach. More details here, external.

Flood warnings remain in place in Bedford this morning and overnight the Environment Agency issued warnings for parts of Milton Keynes.

BBC Three Counties Radio is reporting there are flood warnings for the River Great Ouse in Bedford, Newport Pagnell and Odell in North Bedfordshire.

Image source, GOV

Overnight warnings were issued for the River Ouzel in Milton Keynes at Bletchley, Caldecotte, Simpson, Woolstone, Middleton and Willen.

Meanwhile, the A421 is closed eastbound from junction 13 of the M1 to the A6 junction, due to flooding on the carriageway. A diversion is in place.

To keep up to date on your morning commutelisten to BBC Three Counties Radio here.

Good morning. It's been a night of heavy rain in many parts of the East of England leading to more disruption for many and a few travel problems as we start the day.

A number of flood warnings remain in place across the region.

Image source, GOV

Starting in Suffolk, there are five flood warnings in place - meaning flooding is likely - they include the Rattlesden River from Rattlesden to Combs Ford in Stowmarket and the River Brett from Lavenham to Higham.

You can get more details here, external.