Somerset flash flooding closes infants school and roads

An infants school in Somerset has been closed because of flash floods after 30mm of rain fell in the space of 30 minutes earlier.

Children from Bowlish Infants School have been moved to a nearby hotel on the advice of the fire service.

Roads in the Shepton Mallet area have also been flooded by water from the nearby River Sheppey.

The Environment Agency has said a storm cloud passing over the Shepton Mallet area caused the flash floods.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have said heavy rainfall has also affected parts of Wells, such as Church Street which is under two feet (60cm) of water in places.

Owner of the Bowlish House Hotel, Chris Ashleigh, said: "The school informed us at about 10:15 that the fire service told them the river was about to burst its banks and there would be a lot of activity outside the hotel with parents collecting their children.

"Rather than have them out on the road we suggested they were brought inside.

"We've had about 60 to 70 children - they all sat down in the sitting room and dining room and they've all been very well behaved."

Affected roads include Cannards Grave Road, Old Wells Road and the road to the village of Croscombe, which is about a mile from Shepton Mallet.

Flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Sheppey at Shepton Mallet and Croscombe including Leg Square, Lower Lane and Draycott Road in Shepton Mallet imminently.