Dinghy rescue after flooding in Greater Manchester

Firefighters told 20 people to leave their properties due to the water

Residents on a flooded street in Greater Manchester have had to be rescued from their homes by dinghy.

Firefighters used the inflatable boat to ferry three people from their properties after heavy rainfall clogged drains in Beresford Street in Wigan.

About 20 people had to leave their properties due to the flooding.

It is thought the problem was caused when a drain under the Leeds-Liverpool canal became overwhelmed with water. Nearby Gorman Street was also affected.

Residents there were forced to use sandbags to attempt to prevent water entering their homes.

Paul Duggan, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters were working to clear the floodwater from the area.

'Nasty conditions'

Elsewhere, the Environment Agency (EA) has issued flood warnings for several areas, including the River Irwell at Bury Ground, Prestolee and Ringley Bridges, Hey Brook at Rochdale and the River Roch at Rochdale and Littleborough.

Flooding has also caused problems to rail services with Northern Rail forced to operate rail replacement bus services between Salford and Wigan and Rochdale and Hebden Bridge.

Travellers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before travelling.

The heavy rain followed <link> <caption>the issuing of a severe weather warning by the Met Office</caption> <url href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/" platform="highweb"/> </link> .

It also warned of up to 50-60mm (2-2.4in) of rainfall in some places that could rise to 100mm (4in).

BBC Weather presenter Helen Willets said there had been in excess of 100mm of rain in north west England on Friday, with some "really nasty conditions" still to come.