MARSH house councillor Tom Evans has warned drivers not take risks if Darwen floods again.

He has backed the borough’s ‘Flood Watch’ project in urging motorists to observe warnings if heavy rains deluge the town again like last summer.

A recent survey found that 680,000 drivers across the UK would ignore a ‘road closed’ warning sign and drive down a flooded road rather than take a short detour.

More than two-fifths of drivers would blindly follow the vehicle in front if it had crossed a flooded road successfully.

Phil Rothwell, of the Environment Agency, said: “Tragically, people die because they’ve taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes.”

Coun Evans said: “It's important that residents know where in the borough is at risk of floods so they can make any necessary detours.

“In the summer of 2012, the A666 through Darwen was badly flooded as were several of the town’s car parks so this warning is particularly important here.

“The last thing needed if the area is flooded is a car stranded on the road when there are higher roads around the town use to use as detours.”