STORM Brian has brought flooding to parts of Bury.

Heavy rains in the last 48 hours have created localised flooding in parts of Bury.

Areas mostly affected are in the north of the borough, particularly in Ramsbottom, Tottington and Hawkshaw where there has been localised road flooding due to leaves blocking gullies.

A flood alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for the upper River Irwell area.

The alert says: "River levels are rising throughout the Upper River Irwell Catchment and the heavy rainfall is expected to clear in the next two hours."

Areas included in the alert are Ramsbottom, Bury, Radcliffe, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Oldham and Rawtenstall.

Fire crews were called to only one life-threatening flooding incident last night, in North Street, Ramsbottom.

An engine from Bury fire station was called to the scene at around 7pm, where the Irwell had burst its banks.

Crew manager Gavin Doyle said the area was a 'regular spot' for flooding and that houses in the street had been modifed accordingly.

However, the water - which was around one foot deep - had seeped into one home, where a bedbound man had to be rescued.

Mr Doyle said: "The occupier of the home was bedbound and sleeping in a hospital bed downstairs. We had to evacuate him with the ambulance service."

Firefighters were at the scene for around three hours.

Bury Council is responding to reports, inspecting hot spots and monitoring river levels which are now beginning to drop.

Those with flooding emergencies should contact the council's control room on 0161 253 6606.

For advice visit www.bury.gov.uk/flooding-advice.

Send your pictures of flooding across the Bury borough to burynewsdesk@burytimes.co.uk