People urged to take care in heavy rain

People are being urged to take extra care in the heavy rain that is predicted for the weekend.

During the last period of bad weather, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) received numerous calls to reports of localised flooding and the problems it caused.

Residents are urged to prepare for poor weather conditions and, if driving somewhere, to allow extra time for their journeys and to drive more carefully.

David Acton, Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "We are expecting heavy rain over the weekend and we would urge people to take extra care if they are going out anywhere - allow extra time for your journey and if you are driving increase your braking distance.

"And if you do go near ponds, lake and rivers, remember they may well be swollen with the increased rainfall, so extra care is needed.

"You can find out whether you can go about what you planned to do by checking the Met Office and Highways Agency websites, which provide live information on what the current situation is."

Met Office website: www.metoffice.gov.uk 
Highways Agency website: www.highways.gov.uk/traffic