'Stay at home plea' in floods chaos

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A spokesman for the West Mercia multi-agency strategic co-ordination group asked people not to add to the current difficulties in the south Worcestershire region. "No one should travel unless it is absolutely necessary," he said.

"Emergency services are now able to deal only with life-threatening calls - which clearly indicates the current seriousness of the situation. We are also appealing to the public not to call any of the emergency services unless it is a life-threatening situation.

"After more than 24 hours of dealing with the results of the flooding, fire, police and ambulance services are at full stretch."

The West Midlands Ambulance Service has been placed under "immense pressure" by the evacuation of hospital patients and nursing home residents.

More than 1,000 emergency 999 calls were logged by West Mercia Police in 24 hours, more than three times the average. "Water levels in Evesham are as significant as anything that the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has ever tackled."

More than 1,000 people were expected to spend the night in rest centres in south Worcestershire. Firefighters in Wiltshire rescued 25 people trapped by flooding at a caravan park near Castle Eaton, Cricklade.

About 100 people were rescued from floodwaters by RAF helicopter. Helicopters taking part in the "large, ongoing task", were particularly busy in the Gloucester, Evesham and Tewkesbury areas.

An RAF spokeswoman said a group of nine people, including a pregnant woman, had to be airlifted from land in Gloucestershire. Helicopters also rescued people who had been swept away by the River Avon, she added.

A forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said that Pershore in Worcestershire appeared worst hit, with 145.4mm of rain in 25 hours, between Thursday and Friday. The usual amount of rainfall for this time of year would be 50mm-60mm in a month, he said.