LARGE areas of Chester’s Countess of Chester Country Park have become submerged by flood water following days of high tides and heavy rain.

Images on social media show several paths, fields and some fallen trees are well underwater.

Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park member, Andy Scargill, said: “Don’t even think about trying to get through the lower paths in @Countess Park, they are well under.

“Finchett's Gutter is very deep here. 10+m tide today so the flood lagoons are filling up.”

The sodden ground also meant damage to some trees, including a willow which was pictured falling into the water.

Mr Scargill said that flooding was “becoming the norm” for parts of the park and that TCV Merseyside, a volunteer conservation group, would be attending to help with recovery efforts, including the removal of the downed tree.

There are several flood alerts that have been issued by the Environment Agency for areas of Chester and Ellesmere Port.

These affect the Dee Estuary and catchment area, and near Ellesmere Port the Mersey Estuary and inland towards Frodsham, the River Gowy catchment.

Higher than normal tides are expected to continue over the next two days.