MUCH of North Somerset has been hit by flooding after heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours.

Areas including Congresbury, Clevedon, Walton-in-Gordano, Portbury, Long Ashton, Flax Bourton and Wrington have all been affected, with Avon Fire and Rescue receiving calls from across the district.

And the problems may persist with more rain predicted for this afternoon and the following two days.

The flooding has affected roads in the area, making travel difficult for motorists.

The A370 through Congresbury, Backwell and Flax Bourton has been particularly badly affected.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Yeo from Congresbury to Wrington and a flood alert for the North Somerset area.

St Mary’s Primary School in Portbury, Court De Wyck Primary School in Claverham, St Joseph’s Primary School in Portishead and the Yeo Valley And Rural Outreach Children’s Centre in Congresbury are all closed today.

Flax Bourton Primary School is also closed this morning, but may reopen at 1pm.

Sally Cook drove down the A370 through Backwell and Congresbury on her way to work this morning (Mon).

She encountered widespread flooding problems, saying; “Parts of Backwell were just absolutely waterlogged, the water was coming right up to the wheel arches on my car.

“I would avoid the road - the water was just gushing on the road, but I’m not sure where it was coming from.”

Train services across the region have been either heavily delayed or cancelled, causing rush-hour problems for commuters.

First Great Western (FGW) has warned passengers of ‘major disruption’ on the line between Highbridge and Burnham, and Nailsea and Backwell Stations – including Weston, Worle and Yatton.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Local bus services are conveying passengers between Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads in both directions until further notice. “Arrangements have been made for FGW rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.

“First Buses are accepting FGW ticket holders between Taunton and Bristol TM by any reasonable route.”

The firm were unable to provide an estimate as to when services would return to normal.

A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue said: “Our advice to people is to think about whether you really need to make that journey and if you do please allow plenty of time for your journey, please drive safely and allow plenty of room around you if you do have to drive through a large patch of water please test your brakes after.”

A police spokesman said: “We are warning motorists to take particular care as they travel today following heavy rainfall in the area.

“There have been reports of spray and surface water across Avon and Somerset. Please allow extra time for your journey and consider if you really need to travel this morning. If you do, motorists are reminded to avoid going through deep water – a small number of motorists have already become stranded in their vehicles.

“Motorists should not be unduly worried by this as it is not causing significant problems but should be prepared for the wet weather.”

This photo of flooding in Well Close, Winscombe, was taken by reader Julian Hughes and sent in to us through our iwitness site.

If you have images of the flooding, all you have to do is sign in at weston.iwitness24.co.uk

* Have you been affected by the flooding? Let us know by calling 01934 422656 or emailing nstimes@archant.co.uk