Emergency crews take part in Humber flood exercise

More than 8,000 Hull homes and businesses in Hull were wrecked after torrential rain in 2007

Emergency services and the military have taken part in exercises to test the responses to dealing with flooding in the Humber region.

The event, at Ashby Ville pond in Scunthorpe, involved property and vehicles being submerged with 'live casualties' needing to be rescued.

It is being held in preparation for the biggest ever national exercise in England and Wales next month.

The lake was cordoned off during the exercise from 1000 GMT to 1500 GMT.

A public viewing area was set up at the back of Morrisons supermarket.

The event was organised ahead of the national exercise, which was recommended to test out the arrangements the government has put in place to deal with flooding.

The Scunthorpe rescues were carried out by Humberside and West Yorkshire fire services, Humberside Police, East Midlands Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team and an RAF helicopter.

The rescuers were supported by other emergency organisations including the British Red Cross and the Army, who treated the casualties as they were rescued.

Group manager Stuart Spence, who is leading the exercise for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It is hoped that this exercise will not only test the new arrangements but will also help to reassure the public that we are much better prepared that we have been in the past."