There are fears that the eastern counties could face floods over the Christmas period.

On Monday morning, flood warnings were in place on rivers in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

And over the weekend, heavy rain caused flooding along minor roads and farmland in several low-lying areas.

In Suffolk, several people had to be rescued from their cars after being caught in deep waters on Sunday.

Driving hazard

Postman Paul Marks from Great Finborough near Stowmarket said his delivery round was a struggle.

"It was pitch black, and I knew there were ditches on either side of me.

"I just had to keep going straight and hope that I didn't turn the car over into a ditch.

"I eventually got through it and found I had lost my car number plate because of the weight of water."