Rain overnight caused the heavy lying snow to melt, leaving the van stuck in three 1/2 ft of water.

Crews from Billericay used a rescue sledge and a boat crew from Leigh also attended. 

He is the second van driver to be rescued from floods in 24 hours.

Torrential downpours threaten to lash swathes of the country with rain, sleet and snow through the week.

Arctic conditions will return on Thursday, opening the doors to further freezing temperatures and wintry downpours.

It follows days of winter chaos which saw heavy snow since the weekend spark chaos on the roads and transport networks.

Monday night was the coldest in more than a year after temperatures plunged to -13C (8.6F) in Shawbury, Shropshire.

The Met Office predicted a brief let up in the cold today before Polar winds sweep back across Britain.

Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “Rain will start coming in however and some of these showers will fall as snow over high ground in Scotland and northern England.

“It looks as though we will return to a Polar maritime airflow towards the end of the week bringing temperatures back down with further wintry showers possible in parts on Thursday.

“Friday is looking calmer and more settled although it will be cold.”