The River Darwen is bursting its banks at Roach Bridge, Samlesbury Pic: Moyra Wilson

Preston is included in an area of Lancashire expected to be hit by a nine-hour deluge of rain.

Boxing Day is set to be a complete washout as forecasters and environment chiefs warn of widespread flooding.

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The Met Office has issued its highest level RED warning for Preston and Lancashire. It was previously set an amber warning level on Christmas Day evening.

Update on Sunday morning: Most flood warnings now no longer in force

It states “very severe weather conditions are expected” throughout Boxing Day morning. More rain is expected into the evening before conditions finally begin to clear after 9pm on Saturday evening.

Surface water flooding is expected across a number of roads in Preston and drivers are being urged not to travel by the emergency services.

On Christmas Day evening a woman had to be rescued from her car by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at Treales, near Preston.

More than 50 flood warnings are in place for the North West of England, with seven severe flood warnings where there is a danger to life.

Around 600 households in Ribchester and Whalley, to the east of Preston, are being evacuated as the River Ribble continues to rise steadily. It is currently 60cm above its highest point at Ribchester.

A severe flood warning means danger to life. It doesn’t mean “come and have a look”! Please don’t come to visit Whalley or Ribchester now.

— Lancashire Fire (@LancashireFRS) December 26, 2015

Preston skyline in the background, with flooded Walton le Dale in foreground Pic: Hamza Asmal

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said they declared a major incident at 11.30am. They have had crews out since early on Boxing Day morning and are at full stretch. She said: “We appreciate this is a very difficult time. We’ve had hundreds of calls and we’re doing our best to get to everyone. “However, we have to prioritise those incidents where there is a risk to life from flooding. We hope people will understand.” A flood warning is in place for the Ribble at: – Walton le Dale, Old Tram Bridge including Avenham Park – Walton le Dale, at the Darwen confluence – Samlesbury, at Brockholes Nature Reserve The Brockholes Nature Reserve has been closed today as a precaution due to the heavy rain and expected flooding. The Ribble at the Tickled Trout is running very high, and Jimmy Fisher captured these photos of it in flood.

The Ribble at the Tickled Trout Pic: Jimmy Fisher

Lower Penwortham has also now been placed on flood alert, covering the area around Leyland Road and Penwortham Methodist Church.

Leyland Road in Penwortham closed due to flooding Pic: Gill Smith

Higher Walton Road has been closed where it crosses the River Darwen, diversion is via Bamber Bridge. Broadgate Bridge in Preston has been closed to pedestrians. Pinocchios restaurant in Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, has been flooded for the second time in a fortnight.

Pinocchios restaurant in Chorley Road Pic: Louise Hogg

The dining area is covered in more than a foot of water as the chairs are stacked on the tables. The Ribble is continuing to rise fast, and has now equaled its highest record level of 4.93m at London Road, Walton le Dale.

The Ribble at White Bridge on the South Ribble side Pic: Peter Kelly

Related: Watch the River Ribble bursting its banks at Walton-le-Dale The Ribble around Avenham Park is also seeing flooding.

The Ribble bursting its banks at Avenham Park

Preston Police have closed off access to the Boulevard, off London Road, which fronts the Ribble at Frenchwood.

@blogpreston @leponline Boulevard, Preston breached and waters rising. Concerns over safety of wall. pic.twitter.com/UecEGyRKXw — April Dwyer (@apes147) December 26, 2015

Victoria Road in Walton-le-Dale is seeing flooding in the basements of properties. Around 6pm on Boxing Day we received this picture showing a foot of water in a basement.

Haslam Park has seen more flooding to low lying areas of the park and Savick Brook has swelled rapidly to burst its banks in a number of places. Savick Brook is beginning to burst its banks along its route in Fulwood, especially around Black Bull Lane.

Haslam Park on Boxing Day morning. Pic: Rick Leeming

In Lea, the Guild Wheel has large sections under water and the canal and locks are bursting their banks.

Showing the flooding in Lea Pic: Ben Robinson

The canal at Lea Pic: Ben Robinson

There are also reports of localised flooding in New Longton at The Close, Tom Pattinson reports a stream has burst its banks and is threatening a number of properties.

Prospect Avenue in Lostock Hall also has a high level of standing water.

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The scene in Prospect Avenue, Lostock Hall Pic: Jodie Worthington

Jodie Worthington said: “The road has been closed due to the flooding.

“The drains are blocked, they can’t cope. There’s water in some properties now.

“The council and United Utilities won’t upgrade the drains. This is the fifth time this year.”

The fire service has been called out to a number of flooding related incidents.

At 4.30am they were in Lightfoot Green Lane, at 7.18am in Woodplumpton Road and at 8.06am in Prospect Place, Penwortham.

Kingsfold Drive in Preston at 9.59am, Withy Trees Avenue in Bamber Bridge at 10.30am, Station Lane in Barton at 10.55am, Moor Avenue in Penwortham at 11.20am, Primrose Grove in Deepdale at 11.38am, Ash Grove in Longton at 11.39am, Victoria Road in Walton-le-Dale at 11.49am, Chorley Road in Walton-le-Dale at 11.52am, Walton Green in Walton-le-Dale at 11.58am and Berkley Drive in Bamber Bridge at 12.24pm.

Have you been affected by the heavy rain? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing contactus@blogpreston.co.uk