BURY firefighters joined a mammoth rescue operation to evacuate residents from flood-stricken areas of the country.

Group commander Martyn Ward and his crew from Heywood's water rescue unit scrambled to Banbury in Oxfordshire where they carried out hundreds of rescues as heavy rain over the weekend caused widespread flooding.

The team, including a number of volunteer firefighters, were involved in similar evacuation operations in Yorkshire earlier this month.

Working alongside other Fire and Rescue Services, the eight strong Heywood-based crew were involved in 120 rescues in just 24 hours. These included rescuing 54 wheelchair-bound residents from an old people's home and residents and holidaymakers, including a four-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, trapped on barges. Around 60 people stranded in a high street were also ferried to safety by the local team.

Martyn, from Bury, said: "We rescued quite a few people from the barges and from flats right on the canal. We just helped them into our boat and handed them to the police, who took them to the evacuation centre in Oxford. They were really grateful for what we could do.

"The water was pouring from gardens, through the houses, across the road and through other properties. We were forced to punch holes in front doors to released the fast flowing water, otherwise the level would have swamped the entire buildings. It was atrocious.

"We arrived in the early hours of Saturday and worked non-stop for 24 hours, going from one job to another."

Martyn's team returned to Heywood on Sunday evening and were replaced by a relief crew comprised of Bury fire fighters Andy Kelsall and Austin Holden.

Tony Proctor, deputy county fire officer, said: "The flooding situation is extraordinary and it was vital that we assisted our fellow fire and rescue services wherever possible. The response from the firefighters in Greater Manchester has been incredible, with many volunteers coming forward and we are pleased to be able to send our specialist teams to help. They have already carried out hundreds of rescues and we expect our crews to remain in the area for several days until the situation begins to ease."