Man dies in floods

People have also had to be rescued

Police were alerted just after 10.30am that a man had been seen being swept away by flood water in the stream at Bitterley, near Ludlow.

An immediate and extensive search was launched involving the police, fire service and the Severn Area Rescue Association. The police helicopter and fire service boat were also called out.

Tragically, at about 11.45am the body of a man was found in the stream by police and fire officers. He was recovered from the water and pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

He is believed to be in his 60s. Next of kin have been informed.

The Coroner for Shropshire, Mr John Ellery, has also been informed but the man has yet to be formally identified so police will not release his name at this time.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the man's death.

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Emergency services are being pushed to the limit across Shropshire, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire because of the massive thunderstorms we've seen this morning.

The local fire services say they've been inundated with calls.

We've had reports of flooding affecting roads, businesses and homes.

In Bridgnorth, two people had to be rescued from separate cars after getting trapped in three feet of flood water.

Parts of the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton have had to be closed off so they can deal with water leaking through.

The Met Office say there's a weather warning in place for the rest of the day.

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