Dramatic pictures show fire crews rescuing a taxi driver and his cargo as his car gets stranded in flood water.

Laddingford, near Yalding, has experienced intense flooding due to rising river levels.

The stricken taxi driver was believed to be delivering school meals to Shipbourne County Primary School in Tonbridge before his car was partially submerged.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has now issued a warning to other drivers and are advising people to take care and avoid Claygate Road which is closed.

A statement reads: "A number of roads throughout Kent are closed due to flooding, so please remember to never drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks."

A resident of Laddingford who has lived in the village for 21 years said the area flooded earlier this month and trapped people in their houses.

She explained the River Tiese, a tributary of the River Medway, runs parallel to the road which goes through the hamlet so when the river is high the Tiese bursts and floods its banks.

The woman – who did not wish to be named – added: "Every so many years we flood here. I always see Yalding floods talked about but never Laddingford.

"Plenty of elderly people cannot get the help they need, like oxygen, ambulances, or other care, and nobody seems to notice.

"The challenges are that although we can subscribe to a flood warning system, and most of us do, those warnings often come too late.

"When the surrounding roads are flooded as they are today, we cannot get out to buy food, attend GP or hospital appointments or go to work or school.

"This flooding usually happens in December. I am very concerned about what this will be like then."

Many places across the county have been affected by flash flooding today following flood alerts issued last night due to persistent rainfall.

The alert covered areas in Maidstone from Hampstead Lock at Yalding to Allington Lock, including East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.

Ensfield Road in Leigh is closed in both directions due to flooding between the High Street and Hayesden Lane.