‘DEVASTATING’ flash flooding struck towns and villages in West Craven last Friday.

Roads and gardens became submerged in water in a matter of hours as heavy rainfall fell on the region at around 6pm.

Eyewitnesses said man-hole covers were pushed up and water was seen fountaining out of them in Earby, Barnoldswick and Salterforth.

Parts of roads had also been uplifted.

Councillor David Whipp, who represents the area on Pendle Council, said firefighters were called to a business in Long Ing Mill to pump out flood water.

He said: “It was pretty devastating, there was three inches of rain in Salterforth.

“There was heavy rain for a couple of hours and at first we all thought it was a good thing as we needed a bit of rain.

“However we soon realised there was too much falling.

“Sandbags we had acquired after the terrible floods in 2015 were put around people’s doorways which helped keep the water at bay.

“There was flash floods in Salterforth Road in Earby, as well as Long Ing Lane in Barnoldswick.”

Other roads affected include Skipton Road and Albion Street in Earby.

A drop-in session for West Craven residents and businesses affected by flooding is taking place next week.

Those who live in Earby and Barnoldswick area who were hit by flash flooding can find out more about alleviation measures.

The session will be held between 2pm and 7pm at the New Road Community Centre in Earby on Thursday, June 14.

Cllr Paul White, leader of Pendle Council, said: “A great deal of progress has been made to protect Earby and Barnoldswick from flooding.

“This is your chance to come along and get more information and ask questions about individual schemes in your area.”

Representatives from Pendle Council and the Environment Agency will give an update on work already done and what is coming up. This includes:

• Improvements to Victoria Clough culvert which will help to reduce flood risk in Earby

• Flood resilience schemes identified in a Community Flood Plan developed by Earby Flood Group

• Schemes to control the rate of water being released into Earby Beck and New Cut, as well as other mitigation measures, during extreme rainfall

• Natural flood management schemes in the catchments of New Cut and Earby Beck, part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase2

• Flood defence work at Ghyll Meadows in Barnoldswick.

There will also be an opportunity to sign up to the Environment Agency’s flood alert/warning service.