Flood-hit areas will get more rain

Wednesday's downpours in Sheffield and parts of Derbyshire closed roads and a railway line, trapping motorists and causing havoc for other commuters and the emergency services.

Several factory workers were also rescued in Dronfield, north Derbyshire, when floodwaters cut their building off.

Weather forecasters said part of the country would see more showers on Thursday, but nothing as bad as the previous day's deluges.

The Environment Agency had flood warnings in force for areas near the River Doe Lea in north Derbyshire. There were also widespread flood watches in place for areas running along the River Don.

Wednesday's scenes brought back memories of the summer floods which devastated Sheffield in June 2007.

Firefighters said the floods were due to the city's drainage system becoming inundated rather than the River Don breaking its banks as it did two years ago.

Sheffield Council said a number of major routes were affected including the main A61 route south out of the city and the Penistone Road through the Hillsborough area.

A spokeswoman said council workers were preparing sandbags to help those buildings most seriously hit, including All Saints Catholic High School in Granville Road and Sheffield College's Old Castle College site.

The railway line between Chesterfield and Sheffield was also closed with services being diverted.