FROM tranquil trickles to raging torrents.

That's the rivers Irwell and Roch which, compared to this time last year, have swollen almost to bank-breaking point following this week's heavy downpours.

Obstacles, such as weirs, that were visible 12 months ago during the record breaking heatwave -- when temperatures in Britain topped the 100 degree mark for the first time -- have simply vanished under hundreds of thousands of gallons of gushing rain water.

So far the banks have held firm and the forecast for the weekend is a mixed bag of light showers and some sunshine, which should allow both rivers' water levels to abate.