A MARINA has been evacuated due to flooding.

Residents of Northwich Quay Marina, off London Road, have been rescued from their narrow boats.

This comes after the town's emergency flood plan was activated last night.

A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesperson said: "A flood warning is in place for the River Weaver with flooding expected at Northwich Marina.

"Due to this, the residents on boats at the Marina have been evacuated.

"Phase two of the marina flood defences were deployed this morning. Cheshire West and Chester Council and Highways are assisting with this and road closures."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning (January 3).

Two engines, one each from the Northwich and Lymm stations, arrived shortly before 5am and assisted residents out of their narrow boats.

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the River Weaver catchment area on Tuesday night,

This alert remains in place as of Wednesday morning, prompting the activation of phase two of Northwich's emergency flood plan.

Phase two is activated when river levels reach 1.42m and are expected to reach 2m.

At this point, there is a concern that flooding could damage buildings and may result in a risk to life, homes and businesses. 

As such, the Environment Agency has deployed flood defences and London Road has been closed near Waitrose.

If levels continue to rise, more road closures around the town centre will be put in place.

While most of the flood warnings around the North West having already peaked, levels at Northwich and Acton Bridge are expected to continue rising until 11am.

United Utilities, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Environment Agency pumps all remain at the scene, ready to begin overpumping if necessary.

The flood levels at Northwich Quay are expected to lower at by 9pm.

"Thank you once again to the dedicated officers from the Environment Agency, who were on site overnight to keep the town centre safe," the council spokesperson added.