AS floods and storms hit the county on Sunday night Bradford on Avon braced itself for a crisis.

At first all seemed well on Monday morning as other towns were awash the main road through the riverside tourist attraction was still being used as a route around other flooded towns and villages.

Just hours later as the River Avon rose dramatically, water broke the banks and by Monday afternoon the town centre was completely awash.

People returned home from work to find they had to brave floodwaters that had completely covered St Margaret's Street and Market Street on either side of the bridge.

The roads were closed completely by 7pm. As the water rose, St Laurence School became a crisis centre for evacuated residents.

Although school ended an hour early on Monday, some children were left stranded after their routes home were cut off by the flood waters.

More than 55 pensioners were also evacuated to the school from the Abbey Mill retirement complex as well as flooded-out residents from the Bullpit area.

The school was taken over by social services and turned into a refuge centre as the water reached historic levels.

Headteacher Nick Sorenson said: "A few children had trouble getting home and had to come back to school as they had been cut off, but we had members of staff here and social services.

"People who have lived here a long time are saying it is the worst for more than 20 years.

"It is like a real community pulling together. Staff have been outstanding in their support."

The school remained closed on Tuesday as the water levels remained impassable, although the people who stayed there moved on.

Many drivers who braved the floods found their vehicles were not up to the task and had to be towed to safety by an enterprising digger driver.

Those that did make it through were loudly cheered by townspeople who gathered to watch as the waters rose.

The waves raised by the traffic washed floodwater even further into premises, and in some cases caused even more damage.

David Gregory and his daughter, Zara, were perched on a wall outside their coffee house, the Scribbling Horse.

A lorry passing through caused a wave big enough to smash the front window.

The pair were unable to leave until the property was secured and could only stand by as the water sloshed around their tables.

Others braved the freezing waters and waded along the roads to reach friends and family.

Karen Porter, from Holt, was one who decided to struggle through the waters to the Market Street side of the bridge.

Mrs Porter's four-year-old son Oliver had been waiting to be collected from his school in Corsham since 4pm. His sister Bryony, two, was stranded at her nursery school in Atworth.

On Tuesday Mrs Porter said: "We're all tired out but at least we're okay. I was so worried yesterday. I didn't have my mobile and couldn't contact anyone. It was the unknown. I felt real panic and fear."

Sgt Peter Auburn of Bradford on Avon police issued a warning to people tempted out to watch the floods: "We advise parents to supervise their children closely. If somebody falls in that river they'll shoot right down to the Bristol Channel."