Flooding has caused traffic chaos and major disruption on motorways and roads around the St Albans district this morning.

The Highways Agency reported problems on the M25 anticlockwise, with one lane closed at Junction 21 (A405 St Albans).

Hertfordshire Constabulary issued a weather warning at 5.30am this morning and since then heavy rain over last night has resulted in 3 ft deep weather on numerous roads, with some cars abandoned and road obstructions.

Among the roads flooded are Hemel Hempstead Road, Coopers Green Lane, Shenley Lane, Lower Luton Road, Bower Heath Lane, Sandridge High Street, Alexander Road and the A414 from Park Street to Hatfield.

Fire crews were at full stretch this morning responding to 200 emergency flooding callouts since midnight.

The problems have been caused after heavy rainfall across the area though yesterday and last night. The Met Office is predicting more rain through today and tomorrow.

The Environment Agency has also issued several flood alerts across the district including the River Lea in Harpenden and Wheathampstead, as well as the River Colne in London Colney.