Several people rescued by fire service from flood-stranded vehicles as Storm Bella hits Yorkshire

Two men, aged in their twenties and forties, and their two dogs were rescued from a vehicle in Hawes, North Yorkshire, in the early hours of the morning.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the scene in the early hours of the morning after the two found themselves stranded by flowing floodwater, with crews having to use a water rescue boat to bring them to safety.

Storm Bella brought rain and blowy conditions across the UK overnight, with reports of wind speeds reaching up to 100mph.

Water had to be pumped out of a basement in Pannal, Harrogate, in the small hours after it became flooded.

Crews also rescued a man and woman in their twenties from the roof of their car near Aysgarth.

A boat was used again to rescue them at around 3am after the pair drove into deep floodwater and were unable to get out.

A woman in her twenties was meanwhile walked to safety through shallow floodwater in Wensley after the water caused a minor collision shortly after 3.30am.

Flood warnings have been issued for areas around the River Calder in Horbury, the River Esk between Briggswath to Ruswarp, the River Nidd at Hunsingore, the River Seven at Marton and the River Ure at Roecliffe.

Regions in the South have also been badly affected by flooding from Storm Bella, with rescues needed in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent and the South West.

Through the evening and into Monday, meteorologists are warning the snow and ice could also pose a risk to more central and southern areas of England.

Further into the week and towards the New Year conditions will remain cold with sunshine and the possibility of wintry showers, the Met Office said.

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