Storm Bert chaos as footballers turn flooded Gloucestershire pitch into impromptu swimming pool

Storm Bert has shown no mercy this weekend, as heavy rain has completely flooded a football ground in Gloucestershire. But the players from the club made the most of it and saw the funny side.

In the video, released by Lydney Town AFC, players are seen in waist-length water "swimming on the pitch" as they attempt to get across. Five men are seen throwing the ball, unable to kick the ball in the deep water. The video ends with the players leaving the pitch.

Posting to X, they said: "Can’t believe I’m saying this… but GAME ON! Teams are out and kick off is imminent. In other needs, the asahi and peroni may of been a bad idea…"

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Fans of the team took to the comments to react to the flood. One person said: "I dread to think what’s in that water," and another added: "Fans need to sort themselves out Biggest game of the season and it’s empty?"

It comes as Storm Bert has brought strong winds, heavy rain and some snow to the South West, causing major flooding throughout the region. Storm Bert hit the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the Met Office issuing a yellow rain warning across the south-west from 06.00 on Saturday, November 23, to 23.45 on Sunday, November 24.

Adverse weather conditions brought power cuts, traffic disruption, and chaos to the region yesterday. A number of events have been cancelled throughout Gloucestershire, including the Farmers’ Market, which would have been held at Cirencester Market Place.

The Tewkesbury Parkrun was cancelled this morning due to overnight rain, which had left the course “quite slippery” and the wind making navigating the course more dangerous. Due to high winds, the Suffolks Christmas Market in Cheltenham was also cancelled later this morning. A whole raft of floods remain flooded, while there are numerous flood warnings in place.