South Yorkshire firefighters to join Lancashire flood relief

Many have had to leave their homes after serious flooding in parts of Lancashire

A group of 13 firefighters are travelling to the flood hit area, taking the High Volume Pump (HVP) to assist emergency services battling the high water levels.

Crews from across the region are expected to stay for several days helping pump water away from the worst hit areas.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes and thousands are without power after widespread flooding in the North West, with more rain forecast.

Residents in Whalley and Ribchester in Lancashire were forced to abandon their homes when flood water poured through the streets after torrential downpours.

Head of Emergency Response, Phil Shillito, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer practical and strategic support to our colleagues in Lancashire.

“The High Volume Pump is an extremely powerful piece of kit and is ideally suited to helping to deal with the quantities of water we are talking about in Lancashire right now.

“To be part of such a massive relief effort is extremely rewarding for those involved and I would like to thank them on behalf of the people that they are assisting.”