RAF helicopter joins Lincolnshire flood operation

The RAF have been called in to help out in the Lincolnshire floods.

A Chinook helicopter crew were working through the night to drop sand and ballast at Wainfleet.

They were attempting to fill the breach where the River Steeping has burst its banks, to try to stop the flow of water into the town.

Three more streets were evacuated on Thursday evening in the town: Matt Pitts Lane, Brewster Lane and Hastings Drive.

Residents were told to stay with friends and family, or were offered shelter at the Skegness Embassy Centre or the Coronation Hall in Woodhall Spa.

There are 70 properties affected but 720 other homes at risk, and there are 50 firefighters at the scene.

Lincolnshire County Council says Wainfleet has had over two months of rain in two days.

• Drone footage of flooding in Wainfleet (Courtesy of Lincolnshire Police Drones)

Seven flood warnings remain in place across Lincolnshire after the county was hit by four days of heavy rain.

The warnings mean flooding is "expected and immediate action is required".

Affected areas include:

• Areas near the East and West Fen Catchwater and the Maud Foster Drain

• Great Steeping and Firsby

• Isolated properties and villages near the Great Eau, Long Eau and Woldgrift Drain

• Poulton Drain in the Covenham St Marys area

• River Bain and Haltham Beck in Haltham and Kirkby on Bain

• River Steeping in Wainfleet All Saints

• River Waring immediately upstream of Stanhope Road

Train services between Boston and Skegness are expected to be out of action until Saturday.

Many roads have been affected, including the A158, which was closed westbound due to flooding between the A16 and Harrington Road.

A number of flood alerts, the lowest category, are also in place.

South Holland District Council said its staff were at Battlefields Lane in Holbeach after reports of flooding, handing out sandbags.

What's the forecast for the next few days?