The mayor of a Wiltshire town severely affected by Storm Bert has called for immediate action to prevent future flooding.

Councillor Jack Vittles, the Mayor of Bradford on Avon, has said that extreme rainfall has "devastated our town" in a letter to the chief executive of Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency.

The town centre, town bridge and nearby roads have been closed since yesterday having been submerged by flood water.

Cllr Vittles said: "Businesses and homes have been severely damaged, and many residents are facing months of clearing up and repairing their properties. In short, this has devastated our town.

"This will only happen again and again unless changes are made to our flood strategy and flood defences."

Drone footage yesterday showed the extent of the damage that Storm Bert had caused to the town after the River Avon burst its banks.

The town centre had previously been closed in January due to serious flooding.

Cllr Vittles said: "I would welcome an urgent meeting with Wiltshire Council to discuss putting in place a more robust and logical plan to make sure that we will be better prepared next time. 

"Given we're at the start of winter, next time could be next week.

"Top priorities are a clearer process for road closures, more immediate help for businesses and residents, and a better understanding of the response we can expect."

Cllr Vittles also requested an urgent update on the flood risk management scheme being worked on by the Environment Agency for the town.