Severe weather has taken its toll on the village with fire crews and the Environment Agency currently assessing the severity of the situation and taking action.

The Armstrong Cottages in the village and houses on the Maltings are being evacuated with residents being taken to the Newcastle House Hotel because of flooding.

Northumbria Fire and Rescue Service received reports this morning from a Forestry Commission worker to say that all roads were virtually inaccessible with serious access problems to the village.

The worker said access is potentially possible with a 4X4 along the Moor Road but this is under assessment and other access via Scots Gap may be possible, but a dip at Rothley could cause further problems.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "At just before 7am today a man reported that his blue Fiesta had been swept way down the river at Rothbury. No one was inside the vehicle at the time.

"Just after 7.30am police were called by the driver of a Nissan Terrano who was stranded in the car park on the High Street in Rothbury, the man reported that water levels were rising and he was unable to get out of his vehicle. The fire service attended and rescued the man who was not hurt."

Flood warnings have been issued across the region on The River Coquet at Brinkburn Weldon and Felton, and at Rothbury Golf Course, Waren Burn at Waren Mill and caravan park and elsewhere.

Rivers in the Alnwick and Berwick districts are currently on flood watch and caravan parks at Budle Bay, Longframlington and Wooler are also affected.

Shows at Harbottle and Etal have been cancelled as has the Percy Horse Ride. Cragside is also closed.

For more information on flood warnings visit the Environment Agency's Floodline which is updated every 15 minutes.