Floods leave Cumbria schools and roads shut

The woman driver had to be rescued by a member of the public after ending up in flood water

Schools and several roads in Cumbria have been closed because of flooding caused by heavy rain.

The Environment Agency has issued 10 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts across the county.

Yellow rain and wind warnings are also in place across much of the north west England until Thursday morning.

Cumbria Police is warning drivers to avoid flooded roads and find alternative routes after several vehicles became stranded in deep water.

Water being pumped out of a basement at a house in Keswick

Twitter user Martin A posted a picture of a car stuck in flood water in Seaton in west Cumbria and said the woman driver had to be rescued by a member of the public.

A message on the Twitter account for Kendal and Lakes Police said: "We have received a number of calls regarding vehicles going through flood water and getting stranded.

"The message is clear, if it looks too deep, it probably is and find an alternative route. It's not pleasant for us to push you out the water."

The A5087 Ulverston coast road is closed and Cumbria County Council is urging people to avoid travelling unless necessary.

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The Met Office said that across north-west England, between 25mm and 55mm of rain is expected to fall on most places with about 100mm possible over higher ground.

In Kendal, Castle Green Road (A684) is closed near the Castle Green Hotel, with Cumbria Police saying there are stranded vehicles.

Furness Abbey is one of the areas hit by flooding

The county council has issued details of the schools that are closed.

South Lakeland District Council said it has sandbags available at depots in Ulverston, Kendal and Ecclerigg.

The Environment Agency has put up temporary flood defence barriers in Braithwaite, near Keswick.

The rain is expected to gradually clear eastwards during Wednesday night.

The county was also hit by heavy flooding in October.

Cumbria County Council is asking people to only travel if necessary