FLASH flooding saw cars abandoned and warnings issued yesterday as East Lancashire was hit will torrential down pours.

Some roads were closed temporarily, flood watch warnings were issued by the Environment Agency and cars had to be recovered from the flood waters.

The Met Office said that at its heaviest, around 15mm of rain fell in a three-hour period yesterday, but it had eased off by the evening.

The Environment Agency issued flood warnings for the River Calder, the Lower River Ribble and the River Darwen.

Road disruption included Bolton Road, Darwen, and Burnley Road, Loveclough.

Bolton Road was closed due to flooding between Hill Houses and Greens Arms Road and police advised motorists to avoid the area if possible. And Burnley Road, between Rings Street and Albert Road, was almost impassable due to floods.

Inspector Andy Winter said: “The rain at its peak caused some areas in Darwen such as Belmont to be impassable. The rain subsided in the late afternoon and a couple of vehicles were recovered.

“There was also localised flooding on the A56 but that too subsided.”

According to the Met Office today and tomorrow should be dry, but rain is forcast again on Friday and for the weekend.

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