ESSEX Fire and Rescue is this morning reminding drivers to “use common sense” when confronted with flood water, after having to rescue a number of stranded vehicles yesterday.

Five vehicles had to be rescued from flooded roads yesterday as drivers chanced travelling through deep water.

The incidents, in the middle and north of the county, have led the fire service to remind drivers that just two feet of water is enough to float a car and six inches of water will reach the bottom of most cars.

The depth can cause loss of control or possible stalling as water is sucked into the exhaust or washes into the air intake.

A spokesperson said: “It is vital that motorists exercise a little common sense. We are experiencing one of the wettest months on record and over the last six weeks we have been called to dozens of incidents in which people have driven into flood water.

"Just driving into water and hoping for the best is not an option, by the time you find out the water is too deep you are already trapped.

"When confronted with flood water the best thing to do is to find an alternative route. If there is no way round they should park safely and get out to check the depth of the water before they drive into it."