A MOTORIST was trapped in his car for over an hour in 2ft of flood water as heavy rain caused traffic chaos today.

The BMW 320i cut out under a railway bridge on Crossley Road, near the McVitie's factory in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, just after 8am.

A tow truck was unable to reach the stranded vehicle because of the depth of the water. Other vehicles drove round the BMW, whose owner did not want to open his doors in case the water flooded into the £20,000 car. The driver, who did not want to be named, said: "A bus went under the bridge and I followed it and the car just died on me.

"The water was about 2ft deep before it started to subside and I couldn't get out. People still kept driving under the bridge, which is crazy."

Firefighters and police had earlier managed to push another car stranded under the bridge to safety.

One man who works nearby said: "Every time there is heavy rain cars get stuck under the bridge. I've seen it where the water has been at least 3ft deep, and it is often as bad as it was today."

Deluge

A Stockport council spokesman, said: "Due to the deluge of rain overnight the sewer around Crossley Road in Heaton Chapel has not been able to cope, which results in surface water not draining and remaining on the highway."

The road was closed and diversions put in place.

Heavy rain during the morning rush hour also caused traffic delays on the East Lancs Road near Swinton, the M60 and M61.

Forecasters say rain will continue to batter the region over the day and there is no prospect of a return to the scorching weather during the foreseeable future. A Highways Agency spokesman said: "There have been no incidents this morning but we have set the signs to warn of spray and people are driving slowly which is causing congestion."

Rob Hutchinson, of weather forecasters metrogroup, said: "Scattered heavy showers are due to hit southern Scotland, England and Wales again today following deluges yesterday.

"The high pressure which caused tropical temperatures of more than 30C for almost a week was ousted by a low pressure front coming in from the west. It's looking relatively cool and changeable. There's no sign of the warm weather we saw returning in the next 10 days."