Fire crews attended 13 flood-related incidents as experts revealed how they tried to reduce levels of water and prevent further problems after heavy rainfall.

Yalding, near Maidstone, and Leigh, near Tonbridge, were two areas ravaged by water last week as flood alerts were issued across west Kent.

A taxi driver was pictured being rescued by fire crews as his car became water-logged and stranded in Laddingford, near Yalding, on Thursday.

The following day neighbours were seen riding tractors around Yalding to get around as river levels peaked and continued to rise.

A spokesman for the fire service said crews were called to three incidents in Maidstone, three in Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells, and two in Marden and Tonbridge between November 14 and 20.

They helped pump water out of flooded properties and helped people to safety after their vehicles became stranded in flood water.

Maidstone Borough Council's (MBC) environmental services and public realm team were at Little Venice Park in Yalding on November 17 with incident liaison officers to implement a flood plan.

Officers also attended a sunken boat on the River Medway in the town centre to ensure the occupier was safe and had alternative accommodation.

A spokesman added: "The council is prepared to respond to any future issues of flooding across the borough, with officers on standby to respond to advice from the Environment Agency and Met Office weather warnings.

"MBC is also in regular contact with parish councils to ensure that we use our collective resources in a co-ordinated way.

"The council’s role is to provide support to communities and build resilience, so that they are prepared for any incidences of flooding or other emergencies.

"During this time of year, the council is prepared for winter-related challenges and asks residents to consider how prepared they are, both at home and when travelling around the borough."

Those living in Leigh were also cut off from the main route into Tonbridge as the surrounding streets and fields were completely submerged as the flood barrier was closed, last week.

Operations manager for the Environment Agency Ian Nunn explained it will hold water back and close the Leigh Flood Barrier if there is a risk of flooding further down the River Medway.

He said officers are continually monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will make the decision to "impound the flood storage area" by keeping water behind a barrier or structure if there is a significant amount of rainfall.

When this happens, water sits behind the barrier and deliberately floods a large, unpopulated area, including Ensfield Road, which often closes when the area is in use – like last week.

It holds the water upstream to prevent flooding downstream and releases it in a controlled manner once the peak river levels have passed to manage water levels and river flow.

Mr Nunn added: "Its job is to protect Tonbridge from the significant flooding of the River Medway. It is a really important part of protecting the town."

There are currently no on-going flood incidents in the area and the water is beginning to subside.