Part of the famous Tarr Steps bridge on Exmoor has been washed away due to the high level of the River Barle.

The middle section of the ancient clapper bridge made of stone slabs was dislodged by the waters after days of heavy rain which caused extensive flooding and closed roads across Exmoor.

Hilary Lester, owner of Tarr Farm Inn, which is on higher ground and is open for business, said on Friday morning the river level had gone down from its high point of around midday on Thursday.

She said: "The recent rainfall and flooding has taken its toll on the famous Tarr Steps. The middle section has completely gone. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the stones are put back, but please note this could take a while."

The stones were last washed away after heavy rain in 2012 and 2016, but the stones are number to make reassembly easier. When the water go down enough, the missing parts of the medieval bridge will be identified and put back together.

The area around Dulverton has been particularly badly affected, with roads near the River Barle flooded and impassable. There were reports of properties being flooded at Withypool.

Firefighters rescued a motorist from a van stranded in floodwater near Exford on Thursday. Read that story here.

On Friday morning, Travel Somerset reported both routes into Dulverton were closed, the B3222 from Axbridge and from Machine Cross, which was flooded on Thursday.

The county highways team said there was access to Dulverton from the A396 via Snapbox Cross and Brushford.

Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for heavy rain from 10pm on Friday to 12noon on Saturday.