East Lancashire was swept up in floods over Saturday as rain poured down and rivers burst their banks.

Storm Bert battered much of the UK over the course of Saturday November 23 as a yellow flood warning was issued by the Met Office for Lancashire.

Flooding was reported around Rawtenstall, Bacup, Burnley and in Ramsbottom, while Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley both had to postpone fixtures.

Rossendale’s Cllr Scott Smith, of Whitwell, said: “I've been through the Valley twice today and it's heart-breaking to see water flowing through our towns again.

"It's clear that the combination of very heavy rainfall and the snow melt from the moors has combined to overwhelm our drainage.

A flooded Acre Park in BacupA flooded Acre Park in Bacup (Image: Daniel Higson Photography)

“It seems the River Irwell has been unable to cope while, for the moment at least, the River Spodden in Whitworth has held.

“I have spoken to the director of Highways at Lancashire County Council, who has ensured that teams are out across the county to mitigate the impact of this flooding and to keep people safe.

"They are in touch with other agencies including the Environment Agency and the police.”

Cllr Smith advised people affected flooding to call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or the Highways out of hours number, which redirects to Lancashire Police, on 0300 123 6780.

He advised anyone in danger to call 999.

The River Irwell burst its banks over the course of Saturday, while food warnings were also issued for the River Darwen.

Burnley was hit bad by floods, seen around Towneley Holmes Road, while Ramsbottom was also particularly badly hit.

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By shortly after 6pm the flooding was appearing to subside, but emergency vehicles were still out and about in Ramsbottom to help people in need.

Cllr Staples-Jones, of Ramsbottom, said: “There are three emergency vehicles out at the moment that are going out and helping people deal with the floods."

He added: "We do think that the flooding is subsiding now and there is no threat to residential properties, it's just the usual places where we've had flooding.

"But we think its subsiding and should clear soon so that's where we're up to at the moment."