School children rescued after flooding affects several areas of the UK

Fifty children had to be rescued after their school was cut off by floodwater in Lincolnshire.

Major incidents were declared in both Lincolnshire and Leicestershire on Monday, two of several areas of the UK where communities have been affected by flooding caused by rain, ice and melting snow.

In a post on social media site X, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote: "Major incidents have been declared in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire due to severe flooding.

"My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks to responders working hard to keep communities safe."

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place after the flooding and heavy snow which has caused travel disruption and hundreds of school closures across the UK.

Volunteer drivers in 4x4 vehicles drove the children through the water to safety

UK flooding: What happened in Lincolnshire?

Heavy rain meant all roads leading to Edenham Primary School, near Bourne in Lincolnshire were cut off.

Volunteer drivers, in larger 4x4 vehicles, drove the children through the water to safety.

David Lynch, an area manager for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We successfully got all the kids out. They had a great adventure and they're back with their parents now and safe."

Almost 100 properties have been flooded and 16 people also had to be rescued from their homes.

A major incident was declared by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) which organises the emergency services response in the county.

Supt Pat Coates, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "The concern overnight and in the coming days is the freezing weather. The forecast looks dry but we're concerned about the standing water and anything that runs off the fields."

Major incident in Leicestershire and Rutland

Dozens of people also had to be rescued by emergency services after a major incident was declared due to flooding in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Judi Beresford, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said: "Flooding poses a serious risk to lives and property, and we urge everyone to take these warnings seriously.

"Our control room and crews are working tirelessly to assist those in need and to keep people safe.

She added there was no more significant rain forecast and water levels were beginning to fall.

Leicestershire County Council told the BBC it had been called to 160 flood-related incidents with houses flooded, cars stuck in floodwater and disruption to the roads and rail services in the area.

Emergency services have asked people to stay safe by not walking through flood water and urged adults not to drive through it either.

A woman paddleboards around a flooded supermarket car park in Leicestershire

UK weather: What's the picture elsewhere?

More snow fell on northern and western parts of the UK overnight and hundreds of schools are closed, some for a second day running after the Christmas break.

Northern Scotland, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and the West Country, have all seen a few centimetres of new snow.

The Met Office, which monitors UK weather, says the continuing wintry conditions are expected to bring icy roads and travel delays to much of west England, Wales, north and west Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

About 200 flood warnings (where flooding is expected) and 300 flood alerts (where flooding is possible) are in place across England.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is closed for "snow clearing and anti-icing" and for the third time in as many days, Manchester Airport has had to temporarily close both of its runways due to snow.

A number of flights heading for Manchester also had to be diverted to other airports on Monday night.

Bristol Airport also had to ground all flights on Tuesday morning as a result of "the ongoing weather conditions".

A yellow warning - which is the least severe - for snow and ice is in place for Wales and parts of England, including the west Midlands, south-west, and Manchester, until 10am on Tuesday.

A yellow snow and ice warning remains in place for Scotland, along the west coast and north until midday.

All of Northern Ireland is under a yellow warning for snow and ice until 11:00am.