Residents evacuated as floods pose 'danger to life'

People have been evacuated from their homes in Lancashire after the Met Office issued a red weather warning, meaning there is a danger to life, for the area.

Residents in Whalley and Ribchester were told to abandon their houses when flood waters poured through the streets after torrential downpours.

People in the area have been tweeting video of the devastation caused as the floodwaters rose.

If you can't see this, view it on Twitter.

Three severe flood warnings are in place along the River Calder in Whalley, covering the following areas: Hole House Farm and properties on Calder Vale, King Street south of Accrington Road, Princess St, Queen St, near the Abbey, Judge Walmsley Mill, Hackings Caravan Park and King Street north of Accrington Road.

Forecasters said up to 4.7ins (120mm) of rain could fall in places already saturated by previous downpours.

If you can't see this, view it on Twitter.

There are also severe flood warnings in place for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester and two on the River Wyre at St Michaels.

A number of Boxing Day football and racing events were called off because of the floods.

The match between Blackpool and Oldham was postponed, as were the games between Hartlepool and Notts County, Morecambe and Mansfield and Accrington and Carlisle.

Officials at Wetherby cancelled both days of their Christmas fixture and this afternoon's meeting at Limerick has also been abandoned.