A pensioner who had to be rescued from a flooded ford which he tried to drive through has been fined for careless driving.

Douglas Whitcher was fined £65 and given three penalty points after driving his car into the 3ft ford in February.

Foxes Ford in West Wellow was heavily swollen with rain when the 75-year-old attempted to drive his gold Ford Mondeo through it.

Mr Whitcher and his wife had been driving along Foxes Lane in West Wellow when they attempted to cross the fast-flowing torrents of the River Blackwater at about 2.30pm on February 23.

Swamped by the water, the car became stuck. Mr Whitcher managed to scramble on to the roof but his wife was trapped inside.

Fortunately a passer-by heard their calls for help.

Firefighters secured themselves to dry land with a rope and, supported by fellow officers, waded into the treacherous waters.

The terrified couple - who spent 30 minutes in the muddy water - were hauled from the car.

A doctor treated them for the effects of the cold before they were taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Later that day a recovery truck dragged the car out.

At the time the couple's ordeal was described by rescuers as "traumatic" and Mr Whitcher's wife was particularly shaken up.

The couple said they had seen the warning signs and depth markers but had thought they would be able to get across.

Mr Whitcher, of Sylvia Crescent, Totton, pleaded guilty by letter to the charge of careless driving and was handed a £65 fine and three penalty points.

In the letter his solicitor acknowledged that Mr Whitcher had "imprudently decided to cross" the ford.

Following the recent wet weather, motorists are being urged to take particular care when crossing the ford.