A WORKER had a lucky escape when his digger became trapped in a rising river as torrential down-pours caused flooding across the West of Scotland.

Around two weeks' worth of rain fell in just a few hours, wreaking havoc across Glasgow, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

Trapped by the fast-flowing river, the worker clung on to the JCB cabin for 45 minutes.

Firefighters battled to stop the water engulfing the digger and sweeping two men into the river near Bank Street, in Kilmarnock, shortly before 3.30pm yesterday.

One man was rescued by boat, while his colleague, who was on the riverbank, was saved by fire crews using an extension ladder.

Group commander Owen Hanratty said: "Strathclyde Fire and Rescue received a report that two males had become trapped by water from the river in Bank Street, Kilmarnock.

"The first worker was rescued from the riverbank by fire crews using an extension ladder.

"However, a suitable launch site had to be identified as the second worker required to be rescued by boat. Both workers were assessed by paramedics at the scene, but were found not to have sustained any injuries."

A Scottish Water spokesman confirmed the men work for contractors carrying out an upgrade on the area's waste water infrastructure.

The weather also caused chaos on roads in Glasgow, with severe flooding affecting Carmunock Road and Kings Park Road, on the city's South Side.

The East End of the city was also hit, forcing the closure of shops, including Next and Harvey's, in the Forge Retail Park. Routes in Renfrewshire, including Glenpark Road, which links Paisley and Elderslie, were also affected.

One of the worst hit roads was the A77 in Ayrshire, while standing water also caused problems on the Fenwick to Stewarton road.

In Galston, East Ayrshire, six people had to be rescued from their homes after flash flooding hit the town.

Residents of five properties in the town's Wallace Street and Barr Street, were led to safety shortly before 4pm.

Local man, John Bland, 66, said: "The street was a scene of complete turmoil. It's clear something has gone seriously wrong with the flood defences."

John Bryson, East Ayrshire Council's head of roads, said: "As a result of extremely heavy, localised rainfall in the hills above Galston, a large quantity of debris including trees and branches and part of a garden shed was washed down into the Irvine valley.

"Some of this debris became lodged in flood defences, causing a blockage which resulted in these defences becoming overwhelmed.

"Since our East Ayrshire Council team cleared the debris water has started to flow along the proper channels again and the flood waters are subsiding."

The drenching came a day after homes were evacuated as flooding hit Jedburgh, in the Borders, on Sunday.

The sun is expected to appear towards the end of this week across Glasgow and the West, with temperatures set to peak at around 20C.

A Met Office spokesman said: "The weather will quieten down during the week with some warm conditions expected in the west."

rebecca.gray@heraldandtimes.co.uk