UK weather: 70 people rescued from floods after heavy rain and snow hit Britain

Scores of people have been rescued from flooding as heavy rain caused widespread disruption across north-west England and north Wales, with large parts of Scotland also hit by snow.

More than 70 residents were evacuated from flood-hit homes by emergency services in north Lancashire early on Thursday.

A number of roads were submerged and cars left under water, with 27 residents evacuated from their homes in the village of Galgate, near Lancaster, before sheltering in local pubs overnight.

Lancashire Constabulary said emergency services, the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council had received more than 500 flood-related calls and attended more than 100 incidents.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said more than 70 people had been rescued - along with at least 20 horses, a cat and a dog.

The fire service said most of the rescues did not involve a "life risk", with some of the more serious incidents including moving vulnerable people out of their homes.

Others involved firefighters saving trapped animals and pumping flood water out of houses.

People were urged not to call emergency services unless there was a threat to life as crews continued to respond to a backlog of incidents.

The Met Office said around 1.7in (4.3cm) of rain had fallen in 24 hours in parts of Lancashire, while further north in Cumbria around half a month's rain, 3.5in (8.9cm), was recorded in 36 hours at Shap.

Met Office forecast for Thursday, November 23

Rail operator Northern tweeted that flooding had stopped services between Lancaster and Morecambe, Carlisle, Oxenholme and Windermere.

A southbound stretch of the M6 in south Cumbria was reduced to one lane on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, while North Yorkshire Police said "a number of vehicles" had been recovered from floodwaters in the Yorkshire Dales as the A65 was closed.

In Scotland, wintry showers are forecast to bring 0.7in to 2in (1.8cm-5cm) of snow to many parts of Scotland and up to 7.9in (20cm) on the highest ground, the Met Office said.

North of the border snow was beginning to accumulate on high ground on Thursday morning, with 1.7in (4.3cm) measured on Aviemore and 1.2in (3cm) in Altnaharra.

A yellow "be aware" weather warning for snow kicked in just after midnight for the Scottish Highlands, Western Isles, Grampian, Strathclyde and Central, Tayside and Fife regions.

The warning, which covers the morning rush hour and is valid until 1pm on Thursday, warns that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with possible longer journey times for road, bus and train services.

Meanwhile, the yellow weather warning of heavy rain was in force for southern Scotland, northern England and Wales until 9am on Thursday.

Forecasters warn that spray and flooding on roads will make journey times longer while bus and train services are also likely to be affected.

Strong winds were also forecast south of the border for the early hours of Thursday.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "Snow is forecast for northern Scotland and this could potentially affect travel in the area.

"Outside that area snow is not going to be an issue, it's more likely to be heavy rain."

In the Highlands rail passengers faced disruption after three landslips following heavy rain forced the cancellation of some services.

Train services from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick were affected, with the line blocked between the Highland capital and Beauly.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued flood alerts for Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

South of the border there are a number of flood warnings in force, mostly in north west England, and dozens more flood alerts.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: "We are warning drivers across the UK that high winds will make conditions challenging.

"The advice is for drivers to slow down and ensure they double the normal recommended two-second distance between their car and the vehicle in front."

He added: "Hold the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to be buffeted by gusts of wind. Drivers in Scotland who travel on roads on high ground and mountain passes should be prepared for snowy conditions.

"It's wise to pack a 'winter survival kit' including a shovel, blanket, additional warm clothing, a torch, a flask with a warm drink and ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and consider letting your friends, family or colleagues know when you expect to arrive.

"It may be worth delaying your journey or taking an alternative route until conditions improve and the snow ploughs have made roads fully passable. Keep tuned to the weather and travel forecasts on local radio."

In north Wales, the police and fire service appealed to the public to only dial 999 during flooding if there was a risk to life.

The Isle of Anglesey County Council said "major flooding" had hit Llangefni, where images showed water rushing down Church Street in the town's centre.

Meanwhile in Beaumaris, rainwater caused the castle's moat to burst, flooding a street in the town centre.

The council said the majority of the island's major roads were flooded "at some point", including the A55 dual carriageway in both directions.

Travel to Holyhead Port was "severely disrupted", a "major landslide" completely closed a section of the A545 coastal road and a lorry crash closed the A5 on the island.

North Yorkshire Police said "a number of vehicles" had been recovered from floodwaters and a stretch of the A65 south of Ingleton was closed, with considerable disruption expected in the area.

Two lanes of the southbound carriageway on the M6 were closed between junctions 35 and 36 in south Cumbria due to flooding and an overturned vehicle.

And rail operator Northern tweeted that flooding had stopped services between Lancaster and Morecambe, Carlisle, Oxenholme and Windermere.

UK weather forecast: Thursday, November 23

Sheena Engineer, national flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Further heavy rain overnight in the North West has caused flooding to a number of properties in Cumbria and Lancashire.

"Our staff have been on the ground overnight to support communities and our actions have protected more than 6,000 properties.

"We'll continue to provide support to those affected today, working with partners to assess the situation and check flood defences.

"Although the situation is improving, we urge people to take care, not to drive through flood water."