The Philippines called for urgent international aid today as rescuers pulled more bodies from swollen rivers and debris-strewn streets to bring the flooding death toll to 240.

RESCUERS pulled more bodies from swollen rivers yesterday as residents started to dig out their homes from under carpets of mud after flooding left 140 people dead in the Philippine capital and surrounding towns.

The Philippines appealed for international help today as the death toll from widespread flooding reached 150 with fears for many more victims.