Major incident declared over Northamptonshire flooding

Anna Earnshaw, chief executive of West Northamptonshire Council, has told Roberto Perrone on BBC Radio Northampton: “We have to accept, unfortunately, that Billing Aquadrome was built on a flood area [in 1960]. In this day and age you just wouldn’t get planning permission.

“I really feel for the residents faced with the devastation [the flooding] has caused.

“Some people are having to be rehoused temporarily, which is exceptionally difficult as it’s hard to find hotel rooms.

“We have three rescue centres running with around 80-odd people in them. If we need to, we will cater for them overnight – we’ve got blankets, beds and food.”