Met Office experts issued a warning of heavy rain, which was due to start last night and continue today and tomorrow.

They have predicted 25-50mm of rainfall on Friday and up to 100mm in upland areas. And there could also be gale force south to southwest winds, with a risk of severe gales in exposed areas.

Alan Goodman, Met Office regional advisor for North West England, said: "Three separate bands of rain are forecast to move through Lancashire over the next few days – the first during Wednesday night, another heavier band later on Thursday and the third currently timed for later on Friday and overnight. This latter batch of rain is likely to be accompanied by some fairly strong winds, although it is the cumulative effects of the rain that are the main source of concern."

The Met Office has predicted a 40-60% risk of disruption for Lancashire.

And a spokesman for the Flood Forecasting Centre said: "There is uncertainty in the development of the rainfall for Friday and Saturday.

"There is potential for some large rainfall totals during this period and, combined with the continued saturation of catchments from successive bands of rain earlier in the week, it is anticipated that widespread flood watches and several flood warnings will be issued."

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