A pub has had to close after a flash flood hit areas of East Lancashire.

Blackburn, Darwen and areas of Hyndburn were hit on Thursday (September 9) evening with many saying that 'roads became rivers' in just minutes.

The Red Lion pub on Whitebirk Road was also hit by the flooding, with water reaching nearly the height of the tables inside the pub.

Speaking on social media on Thursday evening, a spokesperson for the pub said: "Unfortunately we are closed until further notice as we have flooded again.

"We hope to see you all soon again and we will post and update on here for everyone."

Also in Blackburn, the Peter Street area was badly hit, while on Fort Street, Blackburn, two fire engines, including a swift water rescue team from Darwen, were called at 6pm to rescue a woman from her car.

The car was stuck in standing water under the railway bridge with water up to the car door.

Two members of the swift rescue team waded through the water to carry the driver, a woman in her 40s to safety.

The road was closed for around four hours, with people advised to find alternative routes.

Police and ambulance also attended however there were no injuries and it is believed that the car was recovered by highways.

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “Yesterday evening we had a significant heavy rainfall from 5pm to 6.40pm in the borough following a yellow warning for rain.

“Because of this, we were prepared and had our equipment and staff on standby.

“Drainage systems were inundated with excessive volume of water within short amount of timescale resulting wide speared highway flooding mainly in Little Harwood, Whitebirk, Daisyfield and Accrington road areas.

“Our team were on site from 5pm to 10pm responding to reported flooding.

“We will carry on working to investigate any further reports we get of flooding issues.”

The council have cleaned the gullies on Fort Street, Accrington Road and Whitebirk roundabout.

The council are also investigating the area around Little Harwood Community centre which suffered internal flooding and they will be cleaning the gullies on Burnley Road.

Flooding was reported at Momouth Road, Robinson Street, and Whalley Old Road however it is deemed no further action is necessary.

The town centre in Great Harwood suffered flash flooding, with police asking people to avoid the area because of the rising waters.