DANGEROUS weather conditions saw East Lancashire receive several flood warnings as Storm Clodagh hit the region.

It is thought severe winds and excess rain contributed to a number of accidents, including a man being taken to hospital after a motorway smash.

MORE TOP STORIES:

His black Volkswagen car collided with barriers on the M65 yesterday between Junction 8 and 9.

The fire service and paramedics attended to the man at the scene who was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

At the time the motorway, which saw traffic diverted via the slip road, held a large amount of surface water.

Barbara Castle Way in Blackburn was also blocked off yesterday morning after a silver Renault Clio and a grey Audi A5 collided at the junction of Preston New Road.

Several flood warnings were issued because of heavy rain which began in the early hours of the morning.

The Met Office said that with the ground saturated over the region, rivers were expected to rise.

Flood alerts was put in place yesterday afternoon for Ramsbottom, Edenfield, Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden and Edgworth.

The coming days look set to bring more rain and severe winds which is forecast for today, tomorrow and Thursday.

Storm Clodagh brought gales of 70mph on Sunday, leading to fallen trees and travel disruption across the UK, and a number of local authorities were forced to cancel their Christmas lights switch-on celebrations.

Almost a month’s worth of rain was expected to fall in parts of Wales, the Met Office said.

For more information about the latest flood warnings and how to prepare for a flood visit https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk.