Several areas of Scotland have suffered severe flood damage after heavy rain swamped homes and roads.

Hundreds of properties were evacuated throughout Friday and dozens of roads were closed following the downpour, with the north-east of the country the worst hit area. Motorists were advised against travelling by Grampian Police, who described the conditions as "treacherous".

The scale of the flooding prompted a meeting of Government officials in Edinburgh, chaired by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham.

Emergency services assisted residents as around 400 homes in the Elgin area and 50 in Fochabers were evacuated due to flooding around the rivers Lossie and Spey. A small road bridge across the River Spey in the Spey Street area was swept away by the force of the water and the river burst its banks at Kingston, near Elgin.

Flooding also hit Aberdeenshire, with the Deveron overflowing on the Dufftown Road side of Huntly. The A920 was closed between the A96 and the Edinglass junction due to flooding.

At Elgin High School, pupils were sent home to allow people forced out of their homes to take shelter. Many of them took up the offer of blankets and food, while support was provided by members of the police, Red Cross and the council.

George Cormack, 61, and wife Elaine, 69, had to be removed from their Channery Road home for six months following a previous flood, but were hopeful of making a speedy return this time. The couple were taken from their home at around midday as the water began rushing down their street.

Mr Cormack said: "The rain was very heavy last night, but it was only about 12 o'clock today we saw it coming down the road and thought, 'oh no, time to go'. The council were very good this time, there was no hesitation in getting the flood guards up and getting us out. I just hope it works, because last time we lost everything and we don't want to go through that again."

Go to our galley to see a selection of images of the flooding>

Even in parts of the town which had so far escaped the deluge, people were lining their front lawns with sandbags and flood gates.

Gary Paul, 22, from Kingsmills, had to leave his house around 2pm. He said the council had not done enough to protect him and fellow residents.

"Seven years ago I was flooded, and that's my house underwater again," he said. "The water's still pouring into the scheme, and the council aren't taking control of it. They've had seven years to come up with better flood protection. I'd be very dubious if things are going to be any better this time round."

Environment Secretary and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead travelled to Moray to view the affected areas after cancelling his other engagements.

He said: "This is an anxious time for families and communities, both for those already directly affected by the floods and for those who may be in danger of being affected as the situation progresses."

In Tayside, parts of the villages of Letham and Bridgefoot in Angus were badly affected, with several properties flooded with water a foot deep in places. At Bridgefoot, police officers rescued a mother and her three children, aged five and under, after her car became stuck in water shortly after 9am.

The weather also forced the cancellation of a food and drink festival launch in Dundee by celebrity chef Nick Nairn. Organisers said the festival would continue tomorrow - weather permitting.