Fifty children rescued as major incident declared

Fifty children have been taken to safety after their school was cut off by floodwater as a major incident was declared in Lincolnshire.

All roads leading to Edenham Primary School, near Bourne, were flooded after heavy rainfall.

Volunteer drivers in 4x4 vehicles drove the children through the water to safety.

The Environment Agency has issued more than 30 flood warnings for Lincolnshire, including areas near Bourne, Grantham, Lincoln and Sleaford.

David Lynch, an area manager for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, said volunteers had come forward "in droves".

"We successfully got all the kids out. They had a great adventure and they're back with their parents now and safe."

The major incident was declared earlier by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF).

It said in addition to the current floods it was concerned about freezing temperatures across the county overnight.

The group, which co-ordinates emergency services in the county, also confirmed 16 people had been rescued from properties in Billingborough, near Bourne, and were being temporarily housed in a village hall.

Internal flooding had affected at least 97 properties around the county.

Supt Pat Coates, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "The south of the county is bearing the brunt of the problems and we're seeing the biggest impact there.

"The concern overnight and in the coming days is the freezing weather. The forecast looks dry but we're concerned about the standing water and anything that runs off the fields.

"Members of the public should not ignore road closures. We don't want any more damage or people to be put at unnecessary risk."

Phoenix Graham, who lives in Ruskington, said "bits of building materials" had been left floating around the garden of her home which was still being repaired following Storm Babet in October 2023.

Ms Graham, who had previously complained about flood defences in the area, said no water had yet entered the property but admitted she was "starting to panic a little bit".

"I am enraged with it all, frustrated and upset beyond words," she said.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote: "Major incidents have been declared in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire due to severe flooding.

"My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks to responders working hard to keep communities safe."

The LRF said 16 major roads around Lincolnshire had been closed or were impassable due to the severe weather conditions.

The A1 northbound was closed between Long Bennington and Grantham due to flooding. The A15 was also closed in both directions between Leasingham and the Holdingham roundabout.

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