Flash flooding: Herefordshire and Worcestershire affected

Cars have been stuck in Kingsland, north Herefordshire

More than 150 calls about flash floods have been made in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the fire service said.

Reports of flooded homes and cars stuck in water were made from areas including Kington, Kingsland and Eardisley, said Hereford and Worcester Fire Service.

A spokeswoman said eight people and a dog were among those to have been rescued.

Police have confirmed the Redditch Ringway was closed after a 20m (66ft) section of wall collapsed.

West Mercia Police said the wall had caused two trees to fall into the carriageway and all three lanes of the ring road were closed from St George's roundabout.

It happened at about 10:00 BST at the Staples Car Park in the town centre and police said it was unclear how long the ring road would be closed.

Roads blocked

Structural engineers would be assessing the damage, police said.

The fire service said Bromsgrove in north Worcestershire had been badly affected by heavy downpours in the area.

Crews received 156 calls between 08:30 and 10:00 BST. The spokeswoman said the service had attended 34 incidents, including sending a rescue boat to a car stuck at a farm near Llanwarne, Herefordshire.

The Environment Agency said up to 35mm of rain had fallen in one hour in Herefordshire.

The collapsed wall caused the Redditch Ringway to be closed

Worcestershire County Council said Westacre Middle School in Droitwich was closed after a downstairs classroom was flooded.

Mike Hardisty, co-owner of Vines Taxis in Droitwich, which was affected by flooding along with other businesses, said he was angry that five years on after large-scale flooding in several counties in 2007 it had happened again.

"We had assurances by Severn Trent that after 2007, this area of town was adequately serviced as far as drainage and it couldn't happen again," he said.

"Well, lightning can strike twice... it certainly has today."

'Passable with care'

The council also said some bus services were affected.

Earlier London Midland tweeted that lines were blocked after flooding between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove in north Worcestershire, but train services were returning to normal.

Herefordshire Council said a number of roads in the county were closed or had become impassable.

These include the C1261 at Hoarwithy, the A4172 at Little Marcle and the A438 and B4214 both in Ledbury.

The B4224 at Fownhope is flooded, but is passable with care, the council said.

It also said there was severe localised flooding in Orleton, Kingsland, Brimfield and Yarpole.

The council said people in the area who needed sandbags should contact their parish council.