WHILE storms and torrential rain continue to batter the Fylde coast, the Met Office has issued a warning that conditions will continue to worsen before they improve.

The deluge of rain that has hit the area over the last week (October 26-November 2) has caused havoc for motorists, homeowners and workers, and hundreds more could be threatened in the awful conditions.

Colin Donnelly from the Met Office said: "Lancashire was certainly one of the worst affected areas in the country with gales up to 50mph and record levels of rainfall.

"For the month of October there was an overall level of 227mm of rain which is almost double the average level."

He went on to say that overnight Sunday and Monday there was 41.1mm, which he described as "a heck of a lot of rain", adding that more rain is expected, and possibly even severe gales at the weekend. Meanwhile Blackpool Beach Patrol warned people to stay away from sea walls and prom areas in high winds. Watch officer Mike Roberts said: "There is a history of fatalities and accidents along the promenade with people getting too near the waves and they should be avoided at times of high water." The RAC said they were working at full capacity throughout Monday at the height of the storms, and reported an average of 2,000 calls per hour.

A spokesperson said: "With the floods the amount of calls we received was two thirds higher than normal. We are fully braced for the bad weather to reappear -- the recent storms are certainly some of the worst we have seen in the last decade."

Anne Goodier from the National Rivers Authority said the area was still on flood alert due to the volume of water affecting roads and properties.

She said: "There are potential problems with the River Ribble and the River Wyre bursting their banks. The amount of rainfall means we are getting localised flooding and we are warning everyone to take extra care."

And Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said because of the sheer volume of surface water and drains getting full they have nowhere to pump excess water.

John Taylor, media and public relations officer, said: "This risks the prospect of alleviating flooding in one area only to worsen the situation for neighbouring properties near the pump outflow."

He also appealed to the public to call 999 only in genuine emergencies following a spate of minor flood-related call-outs.