A family had to be rescued from their car after driving into about three feet of flood water in Brentwood.

The family of five were driving through Buttsbury Wash, in Ingatestone, when they got stuck.

Two crews from Ingatestone and Billericay were called out to rescue them at about 4.30pm on Friday and spent 45 minutes at the scene.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service advises finding an alternative route if you come across flood water, and if there is no way around, to get out to check the depth of the water before driving into it.

A spokesman said: “Incidents like this illustrate the danger of driving into flood water.

“Just two feet of water is enough to float a car and six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars; this depth can cause loss of control or possible stalling as water is sucked into the exhaust or washes into the air intake.

“Motorists should never attempt to drive through water deeper than the centre of their wheels. If water gets into the car’s air intake or into the electrics the car will stop, leaving driver and passengers trapped.”