FIREFIGHTERS received hundreds of calls overnight as heavy rain and strong wind battered the county causing major flooding.

Torrential rain saw West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service crews called to hundreds of flooding incidents amid an amber weather warning yesterday.

Homes and businesses were flooded while several motorists had to be rescued from their cars after driving into deep water.

The downpour caused several major road closures, including the M23 Southbound at Crawley, which became the scene of a major crash between a car and a motorbike.

Trains across the county have also been cancelled, causing long delays for early-morning commuters.

Writing on Twitter, a West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "With very heavy rain, we're currently dealing with multiple flooding calls across the county.

"Met Office have issued an amber weather warning.

"Please only drive if absolutely essential and expect some road closures

"Overnight torrential rain led to fire crews being called to hundreds of surface water-related flooding incidents across West Sussex, including at homes and some businesses.

"Some people had to be rescued from cars, having driven into floodwater."

It came as a low-pressure system named Storm Aurore moved in from France, bringing up to 50mm of rain and 45mph winds in the worst affected areas.

The Met Office issued yellow rain warnings for the southern counties and Channel Islands until 3am on Thursday, but said the most severe impact of the storm would be over northern France.

It added the unsettled weather was likely to continue for the rest of the week, with showers and breezy conditions across western Scotland and some areas of central and northern England and Wales on Friday.

Forecasters predict there to be more persistent rain over the weekend, with the heaviest rain expected in western Scotland, where 40-60mm could fall in 24 hours.

Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales, could see up to 20mm of rain, while southern and central areas will see light rain.