London flooding: Cars submerged as flash floods hit Sutton, Croydon and Mitcham

Flash floods left cars submerged as torrential rain hit south London today.

Emergency services were called to Mitcham, Croydon and Wallington as thunderstorms brought heavy downpours to parts of the capital.

Three cars were almost completely submerged under flood water near Wallington station with one person having to be rescued by firefighters.

One man was rescued by a stranger who threw a brick to smash the window of his Mercedes after it became trapped in the flood water.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said: "We were called at 2.21pm to three cars under water two metres deep.

"Two people left their vehicles before we arrived and one person was brought to safety by firefighters."

The LFB spokesman added firefighters had been called to several flashing flooding and lightning strike calls in south east London between 2.30pm and 3pm.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 2.42pm to reports of a person in distress due to a flash flood incident on Manor Road, Wallington.

"We sent an ambulance crew and a single responder by car to the scene, arriving in three minutes.

"We checked over a man at the scene but he was not taken to hospital."

Clare Goodman posted on Facebook: "We went that way an hour and a half ago under the rail bridge and it was fine. Mad how quick that happened."

Part of the busy Purley Way was closed due to flooding.

One person travelling through south London posted a video of standing water covering Purley Cross.

Paul tweeted: “I would seriously recommend avoiding Purley Crpss for a while.”

Another driver posted on Facebook: "I'm stuck on the Mitcham/Tooting borders trying to get home.

"Pulled over cos [sic] it's just not safe to drive."