Fire service called to 'significant flooding'

Flooding has hit parts of Birmingham and Staffordshire after heavy rain.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued a flood warning for Birmingham on Wednesday night, with fire crews called to "significant flooding" in Perry Barr around Curbar Road, Thornbridge Avenue and Haddon Road, telling people to avoid the area.

In south Staffordshire there was a lower-level flood alert, with parts of Chasetown in Burntwood affected. The alert remains in place.

A yellow thunderstorm warning is also n place for England until 22:00 BST on Thursday, with Birmingham seeing heavy downpours just before 08:00. But while the EA has removed its flood warning in the city, it says that standing water and debris could persist.

Other parts of the West Midlands were also subject to flood alerts on Thursday, with areas of the Black Country, Warwickhire, Worcestershire and Shropshire said to be at potential risk.

Chasetown resident Sue Woodhouse said flooding on Saint Annes Close was "the worst we've seen it in the last seven years of living here".

West Midlands Fire Service said its operations in Birmingham were supported by the police and city council.

Remaining flood alerts in the wider West Midlands on Thursday morning included the River Blythe in Warwickshire and the River Stour and Smestow Brook in the Black Country and south Staffordshire.

The River Cole and Rea were also subject to alerts, although the EA was not able to offer detail as to specific risk locations,

The Upper Tame at Sandwell Valley also featured on the list.

Flooding may affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Salwarpe from Catshill to Hawford in Worcestershire, according to the EA.

Other areas that may be at risk in the county include Stoke Prior, Elmley Lovett, Droitwich Spa and Ombersley.

In Shropshire, Stoke Heath was added to the list.

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