Plaza outside Lowry Hotel flooded after River Irwell bursts its banks

The plaza outside The Lowry Hotel has flooded after the River Irwell burst its banks during Storm Christoph.

Pictures shared with the Manchester Evening News showed walkways and a staircase submerged in water on Wednesday afternoon.

Benches and bins outside the five-star hotel stood were also left surrounded by several inches of water when the river spilled over.

Police officers could be seen guarding the plaza, while a sign pinned to one the barriers surrounding it warned of the risk of flooding.

The plaza outside The Lowry Hotel has flooded after the River Irwell burst its banks (Phil Taylor)

The hotel itself does not appear to have been affected.

One worker in a nearby office said it was the highest level he had seen the river at since December 2015, when torrential rain left much of the plaza under water.

The plaza outside The Lowry Hotel has flooded after the River Irwell burst its banks (Phil Taylor)

When most of the water finally drained on that occasion, a sandy beach formed around the seating area outside the luxury hotel.

Water levels are also high in the Castlefield area, with parts of the riverside pathway flooded.

An MEN reader said the water is "easily shin-high" in some places.

A flood alert is currently in place across much of the River Irwell through Manchester city centre and in both directions towards Salford and Trafford.

Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident on Tuesday evening and the Met Office warns of a 'danger to life' due to fast flowing or deep floodwater.

Further rainfall is forecast across the region over the next 48 hours, with river levels in the area expected to remain high until Friday.