VILLAGES were flooded to a depth of five feet after the River Ribble burst its banks after heavy rain early today.

A driver was rescued by firefighters after his Mercedes submerged as he tried to cross a bridge in Sawley Road, Sawley.

There was also flooding in Main Street Bolton-by-Bowland, leaving the post office and Coach and Horses pub, along with many homes under three feet of water.

Richard Bater, of Clitheroe retained station, said: "We pumped water out of the post office and tea rooms on the Main Street for over 90 minutes and also at the Coach and Horses pub."

Angela Smith, owner of the post office and tea rooms, said: "We were woken at 5.55am by our neighbour who had woken up everyone in the village, knocking on doors telling them to put up their flood boards and get sandbags ready.

"Half an hour later the road was like a river, covering street signs up to three foot high. I am just trying to stay positive and remember it is not half as bad as it was for the people at Boscastle."

Ailsa Daxter, of the Coach and Horses said: "I woke up at 6am and everybody had been told to sandbag. They are used to it at the bottom of the village.

"I went down to the cellar and there was three feet of water there. I shut off the electricity as it could be dangerous.

"It has ruined all my stock, so I will not be able to open unless I can get an emergency delivery.

"This is the second really bad time in five years, although it has happened four or five times to a lesser extent."

Inspector Bob Ford at Clith- eroe police station, said parts of Bolton-by-Bowland, Sawley and Waddington were flooded.

According to the police the A59 close to the Nick O'Pendle was flooded.

Weather forecasters said heavy rain was due to ease later today to be replaced by dryer spells.