East Midlands schools and roads closed by flooding

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service boat teams helped people escape from their homes

Schools and roads across the East Midlands are closed as residents around the region struggle to deal with flooding caused by high levels of rain.

Disruption has been reported on the A52 between Derby and Nottingham, with buses and trains delayed and diverted.

Three schools in Derbyshire have also been closed, as are several key roads.

Police in the county urged motorists who were forced to abandon their vehicles to recover them "as soon as it is safe to do so".

• Latest updates: Flooding in the East Midlands

CrossCountry Trains said it expects services between Derby and Nottingham would not run "all day" while water is being pumped off major routes.

The Environment Agency has issued 19 flood warnings for rivers in and around Nottinghamshire, with a further 23 flood warnings across Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Lowdham is one of a number of areas affected by high water levels

Rowsley Primary School - near where former High Sherriff of Derbyshire Annie Hall was swept to her death - has launched a fundraising page to help it repair damage caused by flooding.

It has already raised more then £8,500, having initially targeted £5,000, and is currently teaching pupils in the village hall.

Rowlsey Primary School in Derbyshire has had to move its pupils to the village hall

Roads are being cleared of water

In Leicestershire, where several roads are closed around the county, some motorists are still risking the drive through the Crow Mills flood water between Countesthorpe and South Wigston, despite a road closure being in place and further rises in water levels expected.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is warning people not to ignore the "road closed" signs.

The road between Countesthorpe and South Wigston has been flooded

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