RESIDENTS have been evacuated from flooded properties and cars were stranded in water following heavy rain in the north east.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of heavy rain in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Perth and Kinross which are in force until 11am today, while a warning for Moray and the Inverness area expired at 8am.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to reports of flooding in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, from around 4.50am.

The National:

Several appliances were sent to the scene and residents were rescued from six properties.

In Angus, the A92 was closed after three cars became stuck in flood water between Arbroath and Montrose at around 4.10am.

Police said the fire service went to the scene and there were no reports of any injuries.

There was also flooding on the A90 at Toll of Birness in Aberdeenshire.

Police advised motorists to drive with care in the area.

The Met Office warning says heavy rain will continue this morning, leading to further accumulations of 0.6in (15mm) for north-east Scotland with a few places perhaps seeing a further 1.2in-1.6in (30mm-40mm).

However it says the rain will gradually ease later in the morning.