BLOWN AWAY! 'Copters rush to rescue 200 people from storm floods.

Byline: JEREMY ARMSTRONG

HELICOPTERS scrambled to rescue 200 people from floods last night as Britain was again lashed by storms.

Three helicopters battled to airlift householders to safety from the town of Cockermouth, Cumbria as waters rose to the first stories.

A spokesman for Cumbria police said last night: "The fire service and RAF are in the process of evacuating around 200 people, via helicopter, from the Main Street and The Square areas of Cockermouth, which have been cut off by floodwater.

"They are being moved to a reception centre at Cockermouth Secondary School.

"United Utilities have confirmed that around 1,145 homes are without electricity in the Cockermouth area as well as 349 in Keswick.

"The RAF is supporting the rescue and recovery operation with three helicopters and two RAF mountain rescue teams." Chief Supt Steve Johnson said river levels appeared stable in Kendal, Ulverston and Carlisle but concerns remained about Cockermouth and Keswick.

He added: "I would like to say it has reached its peak but I cannot say that. In Keswick and Cockermouth we are anticipating the levels will rise further, we just do not know by how much. The emergency services are all clubbing together. We are trying to get to all those houses that are in trouble where people are trapped and to get them to the reception centres."

Across the country hundreds of homes had to be evacuated and entire communities were cut off by floods. The Environment Agency helpline took more than 7,000 calls.

And there could be worse to come as planners warned of a tidal surge in the Irish Sea. In Coventry, tot Kya Mackenzie, two, had a lucky escape after her buggy was blown 65 feet over two lanes in rush-hour traffic.

Granny Tracy Wilkinson, 44, ran into the traffic and recued the pram.

Even the Queen was a weather victim when she had to cling on to her hat in Ely, Cambs, as she celebrated the 900th anniversary of the diocese. Flooding was also reported in northwest Wales and Dumfries and Galloway.

In the South East, coastal towns face high winds, with gusts reaching 49mph. Met Office forecaster Bob Wilderspin said: "We are working with agencies and emergency services to ensure they are prepared."

CAPTION(S):

ELY Queen battles to keep her hat on BLACKPOOL Huge wave hits sea wall YORK Rising water left areas inaccessible BRIGHTON Gales turns umbrella inside out PORTHCAWL The wind-driven waves crash against lighthouse COCKERMOUTH Residents flee from the floods KESWICK Emergency teams had to evacuate homes