Royal Navy aircrew have been flying to the rescue of civilians hit by the weather again, just three days after taking part in the rescue at Boscastle in North Cornwall.

This time the focus of attention was in Scotland, where dozens of motorists were trapped by landslides.

Almost 60 people were plucked from the A85 near Stirling by Royal Navy and RAF Search and Rescue helicopters after their vehicles were trapped on the road near Lochearnhead.

A landslide blocked their way ahead, but before they could return the way they had come, a second slippage cut off their escape route.

Reports from the emergency services say that one car was pushed off the road, but there was no one in it at the time.

Although no one was hurt by the slides, there were fears that flash flooding after heavy rain could further destabilise the hillsides, and earth movements could engulf those caught on the road.

So the 57 unfortunate motorists – including some children - were taken from the scene by the helicopters, including a rescue team from HMS Gannet, based at Prestwick in Ayrshire.

On Monday, three Royal Navy helicopters of 771 Naval Air Squadron from RN air station Culdrose in Cornwall joined RAF and Coastguard helicopters in a rescue operation which saw more than 150 people airlifted to safety after floodwater devastated the village of Boscastle.

Heavy rain – up to 75mm in two hours - caused nearby rivers to burst their banks and send a wall of water through the community, damaging shops and homes and wrecking around 50 cars and vans, which were swept through the village by the floodwater.

One of the RN aircraft made a precautionary sweep offshore after several of the vehicles were washed into the harbour and floated out to sea.

The three organisations took turns in airlifting victims out – from roofs, trees and other points where they had taken refuge – and landing them on safe, high ground, where they were taken on by other emergency services.

The Prince of Wales, who is also the Duke of Cornwall, has visited the village, near Tintagel, to see how they are coping with the devastation.