Further flooding for Northern Ireland

Heavy rainfall has led to further flooding, and caused hazardous driving conditions for motorists in parts of Northern Ireland.

According to the Met Office, rain will be persistently heavy, accompanied by strong winds, with the risk of localised flooding over the weekend.

The Ards Peninsula, Saintfield and Crossgar have been badly affected, with about six shops in the centre of Crossgar flooded.

Firefighters rescued a woman from her car after water levels rose in Comber and police rescued another woman from a house in Crossgar.

A river also burst its banks close to Ward Park in Bangor and flooding closed the Bangor railway line for a time.

Environment Minister Arlene Foster has announced an immediate payment of £1,000 for each household seriously damaged by the flooding.

She said: “I have advised councils to complete their assessments of the most urgent needs over the weekend, and to make payments available from Monday.

"Many householders have already contacted their local councils but those who have not and consider they might be eligible should do so as soon as possible about flood damage to their homes".

The Fire and Rescue Service responded to more than 400 emergency calls while NI Water took almost 2,000 calls and nearly 40 people had to be rescued from their homes and cars, after the heavy rainfall on Tuesday.

Police have advised drivers to drive with caution and use dipped headlights as heavy rain is causing difficult driving conditions across the Province.

(JM/KMcA)