TWENTY-three people have been taken to safety due to flooding at an industrial estate in east Dorset.

Buildings have been damaged and “numerous” vehicles abandoned at Woolsbridge Industrial Estate in Three Legged Cross.

A spokesperson said: “The water is now affecting nearby industrial units so firefighters have so far brought 23 people to a place of safety.

Dorset Echo:

“Volunteers from the British Red Cross, who operate from Springbourne fire station, are attending to provide support.

"The incident is on-going.”

The site has been largely closed off and firefighters are currently on the scene.

One man told the Daily Echo at least 80 per cent of the ground floor of his building is covered in water.

Three people were rescued from their vehicles with another from a tree by firefighters from Verwood and a technical rescue team from Poole.

The fire service was called to the scene at 7.33am.