East Midlands flooding: Dozens of homes evacuated

Dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes in Nottinghamshire following flooding and a landslide.

In Worksop, residents from 25 homes were told to leave after parts of the town centre flooded.

And 35 homes were evacuated from Berry Hill Quarry, Mansfield, after part of the cliff behind it gave way, burying gardens in mud.

No injuries have been reported and the district council have offered residents emergency accommodation.

Boats have been used in Worksop town centre to help evacuate flooded premises

A "major incident" has been declared in Worksop, councillor Simon Greaves, of Bassetlaw District Council, told the BBC.

An emergency rest centre has been set up at the town's Leisure Centre to help those affected.

Firefighters had to use a boat to rescue "a large number of people" in the town, they said.

Boats have been used in Worksop town centre to help evacuate flooded premises

It was originally reported by police that 300 people were evacuated, but Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service later clarified that it was only 25 homes, with 65 others offered the chance to move.

Hundreds were contacted to check they were safe, the fire service said.

• Latest updates: Flooding in the East Midlands

Residents from 28 properties in Mansfield have been told it is still unsafe for them to return home following the mudslide.

The evacuation was ordered shortly before 17:00 GMT after part of a cliff gave way at Berry Hill Quarry .

Mansfield District Council said emergency accommodation was provided for a family of four and three couples, while others have stayed with family and friends.

Resident Natalie Palmer said: "Me and my daughter were in the living room when we heard a really loud noise and looked out of the window.

"We realised the cliff was coming down and for a moment it looked like it was all going to come down. We were really worried."

Parts of Worksop are still underwater this morning

The region has seen persistent rainfall for days.

A number of roads are closed, including the A1 northbound between Newark and Worksop and between Blyth and Doncaster, the A617 in both directions between Chesterfield and the M1, the A6 near Rowsley and Matlock Bath, and the A61 in Chesterfield.

In Derbyshire, the River Derwent at Chatsworth has reached its highest recorded level and council workers have been putting up sandbags around Matlock and Matlock Bath, where the river is "dangerously high".

A tractor on the A6 leading into Matlock

Residents have had to bucket water out of their cars around Matlock

Derbyshire Dales District Council has declared the situation an "emergency", and the Derwent is expected to near for highest level recorded in Matlock Bath which was set more than 50 years ago.

Officers have already used seven tonnes of sand protecting properties. They had "virtually ran out" of sand earlier, but said they would be restocking.

Drivers have been warned not to enter flood water on roads

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