WORCESTERSHIRE emergency services were today bracing themselves for another week of devastating floods and road closures - but they have been given a glimmer of hope for the future.

The county's ambulance service could be given state-of-the-art equipment and more vehicles to cope with future flooding.

Gisela Stewart, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health, yesterday pledged to push for more funding after a plea from Steve McGuinness, Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service operations director.

Mr McGuinness told the MP that paramedics needed special immersion suits for flood rescues and more vehicles to cope with existing business.

Two hundred people have already been rescued from homes and businesses across the county and last night the fire brigade was called to 14 flood-related incidents.

Evening News weatherman Paul Damari revealed that two inches of rain had fallen across Worcestershire overnight, leaving Hylton Road, the A44 Worcester to Bromyard road and the A443 at Grimley underwater.

Further deluges and winds of up to 60mph are expected to batter the county between now and Wednesday.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Mr Damari said today. "Another two-and-a-half inches fell in the River Severn's catchment area last night and that's all got to come downstream."

Worcester police were warning the public to "exercise extreme caution" and look out for falling trees and flash floods as the Environment Agency revealed flood warnings were still in operation on the Severn.

The plight of towns along the river will be outlined in Parliament today by West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer.