Dramatic moment hero passer-by jumps into flood water to rescue a woman from her submerged car

These are the dramatic images of the moment a heroic passerby jumped into floodwaters to save a woman trapped in her car.

Jamie Pierce, 32, jumped into almost four feet of water in Essex and waded to a car floating in the water.

Risking his own life, he managed to pull the unnamed woman out of the vehicle.

He then took her in his arms and led her to safety.

A woman is pictured being rescued from her car in almost four feet of water in Essex

Jamie Pierce, 32, jumped in and pulled her to safety. Her car was floating at the time

RAC Breakdown spokesman Simon Williams urged motorists to be wary of flooded roads

Fortunately, the woman appeared unharmed and was pictured smiling as Mr. Pierce carried her away.

It came after Thursday's floods caused schools to open or close late and a horse racing event in Wincanton was canceled due to the dire conditions.

Parts of Devon and Cornwall also remained flooded, with a number of roads forced to close as a result of the heavy rain, while fields in the counties remained saturated.

RAC Breakdown spokesman Simon Williams urged motorists to be wary of flooded roads, saying those in the 'hardest affected areas should be on the lookout for flooding and standing water'.

He added: 'Anyone tempted to drive through water too deep for their vehicle risks their safety and a very expensive repair bill around Christmas or, worse, the prospect of an insurance write-off.

'The best advice is to turn around and go another way if there is any doubt about the depth of the water.

'From a road safety perspective, we urge motorists to drive more slowly and leave sufficient braking distance behind the vehicle in front.

Britain was hit by heavy rain and flooding on Thursday, with five centimeters of rain falling within hours

Fortunately, the woman appeared unharmed and was pictured smiling as Mr. Pierce carried her away

'It is also important to consider the risk of losing control due to aquaplaning, which happens when a layer of water gets between the tires and the road surface, making it impossible to steer, brake or accelerate.'

Britain was hit by heavy rain and flooding on Thursday, with five centimeters of rain falling within hours.

Forecasters say some areas will experience 'frequent showers' and even thunderstorms until Friday – before a massive downpour hits the south-west until Saturday.

Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said of Friday morning's weather: '(It will be) wet for Northern Ireland, with frequent showers across north Wales, north-west England and much of central and southern Scotland.

'Parts of southern England, East Anglia, may remain dry and clear, but it will be a bit misty and cloudy to start the day.'

Conditions will worsen on Saturday as rain creeps into northern England and southern Scotland – before skies clear in the afternoon.

But there will also be 'unstable' weather on Sunday, with rain bands moving north and east across much of the country, combined with strong winds, including gales.