Dramatic pictures taken in Leatherhead an hour ago, show the devastation caused by the River Mole which burst its banks this morning.

Firemen using inflatable boats have been rescuing people and pets from their flooded homes.

The leisure centre has had to close after being cut off by rising flood water and staff were trying to protect it with sandbags.

Councillor Bridget Lewis-Carr, who lives in Copthorne Road, Leatherhead, said: “It’s dreadful. I tried to go down and police would not let me down Waterway Road. You could not drive to the middle of town. They have stopped everything that way.”

She said that a friend in Downs Lane, off Dorking Road, had also been stranded by the floods. She said: “Now it has gone right across the road, it’s impossible.”

Photographer Chris Gray said he saw Surrey Fire and Rescue Service bring a couple and their pets to safety over the River Mole at Thorncroft Drive.

Mr Gray said: “There were cars pulled up and the fire brigade was there. They were rescuing a couple. They brought them over with a dog and a couple of cats.”