FURTHER flooding is predicted across Dorset due to heavy rainfall this week.

The Met Office yesterday issued a yellow warning of rain for Bournemouth, Poole and the wider county, covering Wednes-day, Friday and Saturday, and said localised flooding was possible where the ground is already saturated.

On Friday and into Saturday, 20-30mm of rainfall, with possible gales, is predicted for the South West region as a very deep low pressure area moves in.

Many areas of the county are still recovering from weeks of persistent rain.

In Bransgore, Derritt Lane has been flooded to a foot deep for a week, however drivers are still taking their chances in the water, despite warning signs and the half-submerged abandoned car on the roadside.

Simon Rowley, founder of local business Fire Aid, said the same thing had been happening each winter for several years.

“I don’t know what planet these people are on,” he said.

“If you have a big car and know how to drive through flood water then you may be okay, but why take the risk when it is only a mile detour to get around.

“You can’t see how deep it is, and if the car goes over the edge of the road that’s it.

“That car has been there for a week and now has a smashed window.”

He said the low-lying location received run-off from the surrounding fields and it could be as much as a month before water drained away.

“We tried draining it with Burley Fire Station last year but it wasn’t very successful,” he added.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Andy Bowers said driving past closure signs was a “huge risk”.

“We have already been called to help rescue one driver from their car after they drove into flood water in Derritt Lane,” he said.

“We have also helped rescue numerous other people from their vehicles in similar circumstances in the New Forest in recent weeks.”

He said a car could be moved by just six inches of water, and drivers should seek alternative routes.