RECKLESS motorists are risking their lives by driving through the floods at Staverton.

The foolhardy drivers are ignoring 'road closed' signs and cones on The Causeway near Nestle's Cereal Partners factory.

They are driving through the flooded road - and straight past two vehicles already abandoned by their owners.

Trowbridge Fire Station advised drivers not to risk attempting to get through the floods, which have covered nearby fields.

They said: "The River Avon has breached the causeway at Staverton.

"This road is dangerous now and will soon be impassable.

Don't risk it."

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue advised people to “think and not sink”, and use a common sense approach when driving through flood water.

They added:  “Rescuing people trapped in flood water uses up valuable emergency service resources which could be deployed elsewhere.”

Wiltshire Council said: “Please don’t ignore road closed signs if you’re out and about - they’re there for a reason. Stay safe and take care.”

The Environment Agency said: “As a result of heavy rainfall received this weekend from Storm Dennis, be aware river levels still remain high and we believe there is a possibility of flooding for properties at the Bullpit in Bradford on Avon.

“This flood warning will remain active throughout today. We are closely monitoring the situation.

“Our incident response staff have erected temporary flood barriers at Bradford on Avon and have been in contact with community flood wardens and volunteers.

“Please can owners with property flood resilience equipment install it now and stay aware in case further warnings are issued.

“We believe there is a possibility of flooding for properties at Melksham and Limpley Stoke.

“Flooding of property is still possible for properties at Reybridge.”

A spokesman for Bradford on Avon Police said: “The river has burst the banks in town but the road is still open.

“Staverton is definitely closed and must not be crossed. There are vehicles stranded.

“Farmers Roundabout to Challymead is also closed.

“Please allow extra time for your journey and do not ignore road closed signs.”

The River Avon burst its banks close to the Farmer’s Roundabout and flooded nearby fields.

On the B3107 Bradford on Avon Road at Melksham, drivers were going through the flood waters to get to Holt.

At Claverton near Bath, around eight sheep were stranded in a field near the Warleigh weir in the flooded Avon Valley.

The RSPCA were called in case they needed help.

Flooding from the River Avon also affected homes and businesses in Bradford on Avon and Malmesbury.

Part of the Barton Farm Country Park was flooded, including the Packhorse bridge and the area around Bradford on Avon Rowing Club's premises.

In Bradford on Avon, Paul Robertson, of the local Community Emergency Volunteers, said he and colleagues had been out from 3pm on Sunday to 3am this morning.

“The River Avon is still high and it breached the bank at the Bullpit, where the Environment Agency installed the flood defence barrier on Saturday.

“We have been handing out gel sacks to keep flood waters at bay and urging people to sign up to the Environment Agency flood alerts.

“We also helped build a sand bank in front of a house in Church Street where the river burst its bank and was affecting someone’s front door.”

Environment Agency officers said the river was cascading 130 tonnes of water a second under the Town Bridge.

Officials were using a heavy-duty water pump to pump water out from behind the flood defence barrier back into the river.

James Sullivan-Tailyour, owner of the nearby Swan Hotel, said his car park and basement had been affected by the flood waters.

“We had a little but of water under in the cellar bar and the basement but it will dry out.

“It’s not as bad as the flooding in 2013, which is the last time the River Avon burst its banks.

“The water in the car park is receding and nothing is damaged. We are still open for business.”

Staff at Ravello restaurant opposite Westbury Gardens also put bags of peat in front of their doors after their basement started to flood.

The basement of a flat close to Westbury Gardens was also affected.

Mr Robertson says they are keeping an eye on the weather for the weekend when more rain is forecast.

“The forecast for the end of the week is not looking good, as the ground is already saturated,” he said.

The A4 between Marlborough and West Overton was completely flooded for several hours yesterday.

The road between Burbage and Easton Royal was also submerged and there was flooding near Lacock Abbey and at Reybridge.

There was also flooding on the B3109 Frome Road outside Bradford on Avon.

Wiltshire Council’s highways teams have been working with the emergency services to clear any flooding.

Wiltshire Council’s twitter account @wiltshireroads is giving up to date information on the conditions and affected areas.