A STRANDED motorist was rescued from her car by police at Rockfield Road, Monmouth, yesterday after three feet of water trapped her in the vehicle.

Residents on the nearby housing estate, Monnow Meadows, were blocked off from town by the floods, and only high vehicles were able to make it through.

Police said the road was passable, but advised motorists to use care when driving. Roads became blocked after drains were unable to cope with the deluge. Despite flooding in some areas, no damage to property was reported.

A flood warning remains in place for the River Wye at Monmouth, after river levels rose to more than four metres in places.

Monmouthshire County Council council starts a flood alleviation scheme this year. A spokeswoman said: "The drainage systems in Monmouth are currently incapable of taking the large quantities of water which result from heavy rainfall.

"We will be submitting a bid to the National Assembly in February or March and subject to that bid being successful, work will start on the flood alleviation scheme in the summer. "Rockfield Road is one of the areas that we will be looking at under the flood alleviation works."

The Environment Agency is advising people to contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk for the latest information.

The heavy showers were forecast to end today, with colder, brighter weather predicted for next week.