TORRENTIAL raid brought flooding to Winchester city centre and chaos to Hampshire's rail network.

The shopping centre was under feet of water while the main rail route from London to the south coast was blocked by a landslip.

Roads were blocked around Winchester and emergency services were out unblocking drains.

It comes after torrential rain hit the county last night.

And there are warnings there could be more heavy rain today.

Police urged motorists to be patient as water blocked roads.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, local Sam Buller said the water went all the way up to The Guildhall.

He said: “It was all the way up to my knees. I walked in it and it was a very strong current. You can see all the silt and everything that’s come down from the main road.”

One Winchester resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It filled about 60 per cent of the high street.”

While another person said: “It’s what happens when the council don’t clear the drains” - a comment which was backed by another local who said it was down to “under investment”.

On Twitter Winchester Cops said: "Lots of flooding around the City at this time.

"Many roads are blocked or slow so please be patient.

"HCC are already out unblocking drains.

"Please consider all pedestrians on footpaths."

Also it was reported that there were major delays on bus services coming in and out of the city's bus station because of flooding to the Broadway.

There was also flooding at Airlie Corner and Christchurch Road in Winchester's Stanmore area.

Winchester Services on the southbound M3 was also closed due to flooding.

Meanwhile, a landslip near Micheldever caused by the rain brought chaos to commuters.

A number of South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and the south coast have been cancelled after the landslip, which came just after heavy showers struck the region.

Daily Echo:

Replacement bus services are operating between Basingstoke and Southampton, whilst CrossCountry services are being diverted via Salisbury.

Other services from the New Forest and Dorset are being diverted via Havant.

The company warned that disruption was expected to continue "until the end of the day".

In a statement SWR said: "We have been informed of a landslip between Micheldever and Winchester. This means that all lines are currently blocked between these stations.

"Until further notice, the following alterations may apply: "Services between London Waterloo and Bournemouth may be diverted via Havant.

"We have also requested replacement buses between Basingstoke and Southampton Central. Once these are confirmed, start times and locations will be updated/ "For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.

"We are very sorry for any delay that this may cause to your journey."