FIREFIGHTERS were called out several times overnight as torrential rain caused disruption across County Durham.

Motorists and pets were stranded while rising rainfall flooded roads, over-flowed drains and wreaked havoc in gardens and garages.

A crew from Peterlee rescued two women and a man from a car under a bridge in Sherburn House that was stuck in approximately 4ft of water.

They were called back later to assist in the recovery of a van that had also become stuck in rising waters.

Meanwhile in the south of the county, Bishop Auckland firefighters recovered a car and pumped water from a flooded road in the town centre.

Teams from High Handenhold, Peterlee, Wheatley Hill, Newton Aycliffe and Stanhope attended reports of rising flood water from worried residents in Plawsworth, Chester-Le-Street, Wearhead, two separate reports in Shincliffe and three reports in Bishop Auckland.

They pumped water from over-flowing drains, back gardens and garages to prevent further damage to properties while three soggy dogs were rescued in South Church.

The animals were made safe and dried before being returned to their owner's house.

At 1am today (Thursday) County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service posted on Facebook: "Due to the weather this evening we have been busy with flood calls reporting risks to peoples property/vehicles.

"These calls have mainly been in the Durham and Bishop Auckland areas."