A NUMBER of cars became stuck in flooded areas of St Helens overnight - with one vehicle having to be rescued by the fire brigade at Peasley Cross Lane.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service confirmed they received a number of calls concerning vehicles being stuck in water under the bridge on Peasley Cross Lane, near Saints stadium.

Two vehicles were reported to be trapped in around three feet of water under the bridge, with two fire enginges and a search and rescue team attending the scene at around 9pm on Wednesday, December 8.

One of these vehicles required fire service action, with a man and wife assisted from their car by firefighters.

A Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said:

"Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called to Peasley Cross Lane, St Helens, on Wednesday 8th December.

"Crews were called shortly before 9pm. Two fire engines attended as well as the search and rescue appliance.

"On arrival crews found two vehicles stuck in approximately 3 foot of water under the bridge close to the Totally Wicked Stadium. Two people were inside one of the vehicles.

"The two people were assisted from their vehicles by firefighters wearing water kit.

"They did not require hospital treatment.

"Crews left the scene at 9.42pm."

With heavy rainfall building up at the bridge overnight, Peasley Cross Lane has been closed both ways, with slow traffic in the area due to flooding between the Totally Wicked Stadium and St Helens Retail Park.

In other areas of St Helens, Rob Lane, in Newton-le-Willows, continues to be closed both ways while College Street, at the railway bridge, has been reopened after earlier flooding.

Under the M6 bridge on Penny Lane in Haydock also experienced flooding, and a flood alert was issued on Wednesday for the Sankey Canal at St Helens and Warrington, with river levels high due to the heavy rainfall.

Flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries from 9.15pm on Wednesday.

People are asked to avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and not to attempt to walk or drive through flood water