THE River Ribble has burst its banks, flooding fields and roads.

The water is threatening homes in Sawley, near Clitheroe, although there are no reports of any flooded properties at the moment.

Elsewhere, fire crews were called out to a man trapped in a silver BMW in Chipping Road, east of Chipping. The vehicle was submerged in three feet of water and the man was trapped.

A farmer assisted the firefighters as they attached cables to the farmer's Jeep which pulled the man to safety.

Eye-witness, Barry Jenkins, owner of Positive Plumbing Solutions, said he didn't want to risk driving through the water in Sawley.

He said: "I was driving back from Bolton-by-Bowland and we were coming down the road which connects to Sawley. We got so far down the road and there was water everywhere.

"I thought no chance, I'm not driving back down here. There's far too much water on the road and all the cars behind me turned around at Rodhill Lane and went back.

"The water was very close to houses alongside the road but it hadn't reached any of them yet."

Mark Horrocks, from Barnoldswick, who was driving to Clitheroe for shopping had to abandon the trip and turn home.

He said: "The river is definitely a field or two away from the road but the water had come right up over it.

"It wasn't worth the risk as we couldn't see the road around the bend because it was under the water.

"We ended up going shopping somewhere else as it's too dangerous to drive through.

"It will only become more dangerous at night as you wouldn't be able to see it until the last minute on those country roads."

East Lancashire has been warned to expect more flooding this evening.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of heavy and persistent rain into the night.

Environment Agency staff are on the ground in the Ribble Valley and have issued flood warnings for the River Ribble and the River Calder.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Heavy rain is expected to continue throughout Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday.

"River levels are already beginning to rise and will continue to do so during today, with the forecast peak at 5.30pm in Whalley, 8pm in Ribchester and 9.45pm in Samlesbury.

"Environment Agency staff are monitoring the situation and operations staff are out on the ground."

Residents with concerns about flooding are advised to call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 to get more information.