The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Residents in a remote rural town at the bottom of a huge reservoir fear its dam could collapse.

A wall around Toddbrook Reservoir in Derbyshire has been severely damaged after heavy rain battered the region.

Now police have warned people in nearby Whaley Bridge to stay away from the water and the surrounding area.

A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: "We're currently with our partners at an incident at Toddbrook Reservoir in #WhaleyBridge following reports of damage to the reservoir wall.

"Road closures with diversions are in place and we're asking people to avoid the area whilst we assess its stability."

It later tweeted: "We're not currently evacuating people from Whaley Bridge, however we are advising business owners and non-residents to leave so that if we do need to evacuate it can be done as quickly and safely as possible. Volunteers are not required and we're asking people to stay away."

(Image: Chris Wilman/Twitter)

(Image: Frag Last/Twitter)

But residents in the pretty town have shared their concerns online.

"Some homes and businesses are being evacuated," one Twitter account reads.

"The dam wall in whaley bridge is in risk of collapse," another tweet says.

"Doctor has now cancelled or moved appointments to Chapel if you can get there but our roads are closed at Tesco and Horwich End," another resident warned.

"There are some very real concerns that the reservoir that sits over our small Peak District town of Whaley Bridge is going to collapse. If it does, it’ll cause chaos. It’s like something out of a movie! Keep safe neighbours!!! Xx," reads a further tweet.

(Image: Frag Last/Twitter)

High Peak Borough Council tweeted to confirm Whaley Bridge Memorial Park has closed for safety reasons.

A further warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office and is in force today until 8pm.

"There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life," the Met Office said.

Flooding will be worst in large parts of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

Up to 20mm of rainfall is possible within an hour in some parts of northern England, according to the Met Office.