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Heavy rain affects roads in Cumbria

Cumbria Police are warning motorists to only drive if necessary after heavy rain left many roads with standing water.

Officers say that many roads have been affected and the A66 is closed between Stainton and Penrith Road in Keswick due to fallen debris and water.

There was no major flooding last night in Kendal and Egremont - the areas most likely to be affected by the remnants of tropical storm Kate.

The Environment Agency says that five severe flood warnings remain in place for Kendal and six for Egremont.

People living in flood risk areas are still being advised to leave their homes as more rain is expected later today.

Relief centres remain open at Kendal Town Hall and West Lakes Academy in Egremont.

Many of the county's roads, including the A66 at Threlkeld, have minor road surface flooding. Our advice is to drive only if necessary today as it is expected, that with further deteriorating weather conditions, more roads will be affected with an increasing severity.

If you must drive please do so with extreme care. Motorists should not drive through any flood water of which they cannot judge the depth. Also a concern is the spray coming from the roads which decreases a driver's visibility.

– Chief Inspector Matt Kennerley, Cumbria Police