Schoolchildren dice with danger in flash flood

As they walked home from Castle High School in Dudley, these large puddles left by yesterday's heavy downpours proved too tempting.

Without a thought for their own safety the pupils began splashing water at each other in front of cars.

One of the group can even be seen lying down with just his head and shoulders above the water as his friends looked on - dangerously close to passing vehicles.

The shocking scene in Ednam Road has sparked concern from St James's ward councillor Khurshid Ahmed who said he was worried about their behaviour.

He said they were putting themselves at 'unnecessary risk' and urged them to be more careful in the future.

"It's very dangerous. They do need to be more careful, especially as there is a big bend in the road making it more difficult for drivers to see.

"They shouldn't be putting themselves in danger like that and certainly shouldn't be lying down in the water or trying to have showers and messing about with their friends.

"I will be passing on my concerns to the school and also speaking to the highways department to see what can be done to prevent the road from flooding.

"We were called out to a few locations around the borough due to flooding, mainly in Stourbridge," added Councillor Ahmed.

No one from Castle High School was available to comment.

There were also delays for commuters yesterday afternoon after flooding on the line between CradleyHeath and Lye and there were also problems on the northbound stretch of the M5 at junction 3 for Halesowen after the slip road was blocked.

There was also flooding on the A4034 Bromford Road in Oldbury under the bridge by Fountain Lane.

Traffic was also queuing on Hagley Road, Birmingham near Barnsley Lane with motorists leaving the city getting caught up in the delays.