Family trapped in Barcombe Mills flood are rescued

The car with three people inside had been driven into waist-height floodwater at Barcombe Mills

Two children and their father have been rescued by firefighters after their car was stuck in floodwater in East Sussex.

The family had climbed onto the car roof at Barcombe Mills, where the water was waist high. They were described as cold and shocked but unhurt.

Barcombe Mills Road was flooded after the River Ouse burst its banks.

Further rainfall is expected overnight into Saturday, increasing the risk of flooding from rivers and ground water across the south east of England.

High winds are also being forecast with gusts of up to 60mph inland and 80mph near coasts, resulting in higher than normal waves.

Rother District Council said it was prepared for flooding in the Norman's Bay/Sovereign Harbour area and had joined colleagues from Wealden, Lewes and Eastbourne in setting up rest centres in case of evacuation.

Officials have also visited caravan sites and homes warning residents of likely flooding.

Sewage pipes

The Environment Agency currently has six flood warnings in place for Sussex and three for Surrey but there are no severe flood warnings.

In Surrey, the River Wey has started to flood at Millmead in Guildford, which is closed to traffic at the High Street junction.

Chertsey Bridge Road, in Chertsey, is also closed in both directions between the B387 Weir Road junction and the Littleton Lane junction, with reports of queuing traffic trying to cross the River Thames at Staines and Walton.

The River Wey in Guildford has burst its banks affecting a number of roads

Rising water levels have also left some residents in Laleham Reach, in Chertsey, wading through sewage after pipes burst.

Thames Water said the "sheer volume of water is immense", and its sewers were only designed to take wastewater, not floodwater.

A statement said: "We are aware of the problems in the area and have teams out there almost every day to monitor the levels.

"In terms of public health, while sewer flooding is unpleasant it is heavily diluted with rain and carries virtually no risk to public health."