BEMUSED residents whose homes were flooded after a series of unprecedented summer storms were today warned: You may have to get used to it.

Since early August, East Lancashire has been hit by a series of sudden, snap deluges lasting just a couple of hours, which have left homes and businesses up to five feet under water.

Yesterday's floods in Brownhill, Wilpshire and Ribchester were the fifth serious night of floods this month.

Bolton-by-Bowland, Sawley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Oswaldtwistle, Great Harwood, Rishton, Laneshawbridge, Earby, Colne, Waterfoot and Cowpe had previously been affected as drains failed to cope with the volume of water.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is demanding action to prevent any repeat of recent flooding in the Ribble Valley.

He has written to the Environment Agency, Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Council to try and prevent any repeat of the event which saw cars submerged and homes under three feet of water.

David Forster, strategic manager for the Environment Agency in the North West, said climate change was thought to be behind the shock weather.

And, he added, while that may result in a warmer May and June, the knock on effect could be August becoming the month of torrential rain and storms.

A pensioner from Oswaldtwistle found herself ankle-deep in water as torrential rain yesterday caused her flat to flood for the second time in three weeks.

Ivy Brogden, 72, of Kingfisher Court, had to call the fire brigade out to help stem the flow of water into her home.

After the last flood three weeks ago, which damaged the carpets in the kitchen, living room and hall, she contacted Hyndburn Council.

Some work was carried out to try and protect her property from the water that in bad weather runs off nearby playing fields, down Heron Way and into her flat.

But the work was not enough to prevent the water pouring in through the walls of her kitchen during yesterday's heavy rain.

The 72-year-old said: "This is third time in 12 months that this has happened and the second time in three weeks.

"The water didn't come over the door this time, but it was pouring in through the walls and came up to my ankles.

"It will take some time for the carpets to dry out and the damp smell is terrible."

On the Brookside Industrial Estate, staff at MD Furniture, in Vine Mill, were cleaning up after their second flood in three weeks.

Operations manager at the firm, Peter Taylor, said more than £100,000-worth of stock had been damaged in the first flood.

He said: "We are still working out how much damage this latest flood has caused.

"The drains just could not take the amount of water that came down away and within minutes the ground floor was under five inches of water."

Mr Forster said there had already been 150 per cent of the expected rainfall for August.

Before this month, there had been just 60 per cent of the usual level of rain in the summer -- and the Environment Agency was on the verge of releasing a drought warning.

Mr Forster added: "We are all slightly surprised by the rain fall because it was not expected.

"It doesn't fit in with the climate change model of hotter, dryer summers, but no one really knows what the climate change will bring.

"This unpredictability could be an example of what climate change will bring if we don't do something about it.

"Flash floods may become the norm. It is still early to analyse these effects and only time will tell if this is the case."

Mr Evans said: "Clearly this weather shows no signs of abating and it is necessary for a real solution to be found to these problems, not just for this year, but for the years in the future too."

For further advice, call the Environment Agency's flood advice line on 0845 988 188.