A FLOOD warning has been issued and motorists have been told not to travel as torrential rain batters Barnsley again.

Scores of residents who were evacuated from their homes earlier this month are preparing to leave their properties for the second time in two weeks as river levels are on the up.

Several roads are blocked by floods including Grange Lane where the river has burst its banks, according to police. A police spokesman said an emergency command room has been set up at Barnsley police station to co-ordinate the emergency services' response to the flooding.

Council workers are also out delivering sand bags.

A police spokesman advised motorists not to travel unless essential and he warned people to stay away from the swollen rivers. Trains from Barnsley have been cancelled because of problems at Darton, Elsecar and Wombwell stations.

The following roads should be avoided:

Bradbury Balk Lane, Wombwell; Furlong Road, Bolton; Lidgett Lane, Thurnscoe; Sheffield Rd, Hoyland Common; Wombwell Lane, Stairfoot; Fitzwilliam Street, Elsecar; Meadowgate, Bolton; Lang Ave, Lundwood; Grange Lane, Barnsley; Thurgoland Bank and Cheese Bottom, Oxspring; Genn Lane, Ward Green; Crane Moor Road, Crane Moor.

Pope Pius school at Wath is closed because of flooding and Barnsley College has sent students home.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning this morning and predicted about 2 inches of rain would fall in Barnsley today.

• Thank you to everyone who has e-mailed pictures of the flooding. If you have any videos or photographs send them to editorial@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk or newsdesk@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk.