A tortoise was among the pets rescued from a flooded holiday park where water was chest-deep in some homes.

Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley, near Chichester, was evacuated in the early hours of Tuesday morning after severe flooding and a major incident was declared.

Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team attended the scene and said around 120 people were rescued from their flooded homes and holiday homes.

This included people of all ages, as well as dogs, cats and a tortoise.

READ MORE: West Sussex flooding: Residents told not to return home 

A spokesman for the team said: "Around 120 plus people, dogs, cats and even a tortoise were rescued from their homes/holiday homes in more than chest deep water and were taken to safety and given blankets to help keep them warm.

"This incident demonstrated what great assets we have available in this sort of emergency and how we can all work and bring our skills together."

The coastguard was part of a multi-agency response which also involved West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Police.

Coastguard teams from other places in Sussex, as well as from Hampshire, also responded.

Threats of further high tides mean that evacuated residents have been advised not to return to their homes yet.