EXTREME weather conditions in Darwen caused severe damage to Watery Lane, resulting in a lift in the road.

Heavy rain and stormy conditions caused the damage, which also affected nearby businesses located on the road.

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Maxine Walsh, manager at The Old Function Room, was astonished at the scale and speed of the damage caused by the weather.

The 45-year-old said: “I went to a meeting, and when I came back there was flashing lights everywhere.

“In the space of an hour it went from quite a nice day to a monsoon.

“The damage was really bad, the road was lifting, it was like a scene from some sort of action film.”

Thunderstorms were reported to have caused the damage to the road, after heavy rain damaged the drainage system.

The increase in water meant the system was unable to hold the contents, which caused the road to rise.

Cllr David Foster, from the Whitehall ward, was surprised to hear of the damage caused by the flooding but immediately set out to ensure the road is useable again.

He said: “It seems as though the flooding overloaded the drainage system, as it managed to lift the carriageway.

“When it was reported to me I was surprised. The road has only recently, in the last few years, had work done to it and been refurbished.

“We got straight to work on repairs, and this work is ongoing.”

Traffic disruption was caused by the weather problems, as well as the distress to business located on the road such as The Old Function Room.

Mrs Walsh said that she was thankful the damage to her pub and kitchen was not worse, despite suffering after almost two feet of water flooded into the beer cellar.

She said: “We were up all night cleaning. It was quite bad the amount of damage done to the stock. Luckily there was no electrical damage otherwise it could have ended up costing thousands.

“We are holding a cask-ale and cider festival this weekend, so we are hoping that will help recoup some of the losses.”