Wednesday night: Work begins on erecting the flood barriers at Frankwell, Shrewsbury.

Shropshire and Mid Wales were placed on full scale flood alert today as barriers went up and motorists had to be rescued from stranded cars.

The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings in six parts of the region as rivers broke their banks and roads became impassable.

Residents and businesses close to the River Severn and River Vyrnwy have been warned to get sandbags at the ready as river levels rise.

Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said worse weather could follow, with up to an inch of rain set to fall in the county on Saturday and gale force winds also on the way.

The worst hit areas today included Melverley and Kinnerley, near Oswestry, and the River Severn from Pool Quay to Shrewsbury.

But residents and businesses further downstream in Ironbridge and Bridgnorth were bracing themselves for potential flooding later today and tomorrow.

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Flood barriers went up in Shrewsbury last night and the Frankwell car park was closed.

The worst of the rain fell in Wales and firefighters had to rescue three people from their vehicles in two separate incidents. Several roads from Shropshire into Mid Wales were also closed.

Firefighters were called to the rescue of two people when they got trapped in their car in 3ft-deep floodwater near Welshpool.

Crews from Welshpool and Llanfyllin went to the aid of the pair at 6.50pm yesterday after the floodwater encircled them on the A495, one mile from Llansantffraid ym Mechain, towards Meifod.

Firefighters also helped rescue a woman from her flood-hit car near Bala.

Several main roads, including the A483 at Llan-ymynech, were closed off for a time last night because of rising water.

Powys County Council was forced to close the A458 between Welshpool and Mallwyd, near Machynlleth, just after 10am yesterday.

The road remained closed earlier today.

The A487 at Dyfi bridge, Machynlleth, also remained closed earlier today.

The weather also brought chaos to a village near the picturesque Lake Vyrnwy.

Power to 190 Scottish Power customers was lost for more than six hours because an overhead line was damaged in high winds.