Shrewsbury's flood defences are being put to the test

The river has overflowed its banks in some areas causing damage to several homes, although the �6m flood barriers are currently holding back the water in the town centre.

A severe flood warning is also in place on the River Vyrnwy.

A 21-year-old man was treated for hypothermia after he was rescued from a flooded road in Shrewsbury on Wednesday night.

He was one of three men taken to safety after a car became stranded in Gravel Hill Road, near the River Severn.

Barriers extended

Paul Bowen, who lives near to the Severn in Shrewsbury, has seen the basement of his home fill with water.

He told BBC Midlands Today that it was a problem that could have been prevented.

The River Severn flooded the Frankwell car park

"We were promised flood defences back in the year 2000 when the big floods came then, by no less a person than Tony Blair.

"We were promised flood defences for the whole of Shrewsbury, which didn't come to fruition."

Flooding has also hit other parts of the town, with the Frankwell car park under water.

But experts are predicting that the Severn will not rise as high as it did in 2000, when the river swelled to near-record levels.

Flood warnings have also been issued for much of the rest of Shropshire.

Bridgnorth was put on alert on Thursday afternoon, with the Environment Agency saying that flooding is expected on the A442 Telford to Bridgnorth road at Fort Pendlestone.

It also expects flooding at some properties on Severn Terrace in Bridgnorth.

In Ironbridge, the temporary flood barriers have been extended along The Wharfage.