Passengers in west warned to avoid rail travel after storms

Christmas travel plans have been disrupted for many in the west of England as heavy rain and high winds batter the region.

A First Great Western spokesman said many trains had been delayed and people should only travel if they "had to".

Elsewhere, a 10-year-old girl and a man were rescued from a car after being trapped in flood water near Bath.

Some 700 homes in Yeovil, Somerset, and about 500 homes in Salisbury, Wiltshire, have been without power.

First Great Western suspended its service between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway because of flooding.

The service between Exeter St Davids and Bristol Temple Meads was also suspended.

Iford Bridge at Farleigh Hungerford in Somerset was partially submerged

Flights at Bristol Airport were disrupted and more than 70 flood warnings were in place across the South West.

Wiltshire and Somerset Councils said fallen trees had blocked a number of roads.

Police in Wiltshire said nine roads had been closed due to flooding, including the A365 near Shurnhold, where a number of vehicles were stuck.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said about 12 properties, including shops in the Bath Road area of Bradford-on-Avon, had been affected by flooding and they had closed the town centre bridge.

Avon and Somerset Police said it had responded to 190 weather-related incidents since Monday evening.

Power cables were also damaged along the A303 in Somerset, and the road closed in both directions north of Yeovil due to flood water.

And seven people were rescued by Avon Fire and Rescue from a riverside pub in Bathampton, near Bath, after they became trapped by rising flood water.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said it was called to 250-weather related incidents overnight.

Fire crews rescued an adult and three children from a car stuck in floodwater in Podimore in Somerset.

A spokesman said 20 people had been rescued from cars round the region and he warned there was a "significant risk to life" if motorists became stranded.

"If they do see floodwater on the road, they should not attempt to drive through it but should try to find an alternative route," he said.

"And if a road has been closed, it is for the safety of the public and closure signs should be respected."