A man who tried to cross a flooded ford in his 4x4 was saved by firefighters in a dramatic rescue today.

People in Beckfoot Lane, Bingley, were horrified to see the car swept down Harden Beck and rang emergency services shortly after 9am.

The man and his vehicle had to be secured separately by ropes before firefighters from Keighley and two Leeds stations coaxed him to climb out and walk along a ladder on to the bank.

One hour later Keighley firefighters were called out again this time to Flappit near Cullingworth on Halifax Road where a man, believed to be in his mid-30s, got trapped in his Honda CV car after it crashed into a stone wall in torrential rain.

The man was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with head and possible internal injuries.

Police put out warnings to motorists across the district to slow down because of treacherous conditions but feared motorists were still ignoring their advice.

According to The Met Office, Bingley has been the wettest place in the country - recording 2.8in (71mm) of rain in 24 hours.

Moorland roads at Moor Road in Menston, Otley Road at East Morton near Dick Hudson's pub and Goose Lane had to be closed and diversions set up.

Leeds Road at Ilkley was also shut for a time after debris from a flooded beck washed up on to it.

More than 300 pupils at Crossflatts Primary School, Bingley, got an early start to the weekend when they were sent home at lunchtime because a nearby stream turned into a torrent and flooded two bridges that lead to it.

Devastating downpours have also left organisers of numerous weekend events awash with misery, forcing them to cancel. Victims include Otley Carnival and Wibsey Gala.