Concerns over frequent flooding of village

Janet Hewlett said she was often left without access to a toilet or washing-machine because of flooding.

A Herefordshire village is experiencing more severe and long-lasting flooding, according to residents.

The recent heavy rain left some roads shut in Marden, near Hereford, while others were only just passable.

Janet Hewlett has lived in the village for 25 years and said the roads around her home flood every winter.

The property used a septic tank system and she said she was often not able to use her toilet or washing-machine for a month at a time.

The 75-year-old was relying on her neighbours to wash her clothes and had had to hire a portable toilet.

"It's not acceptable for anybody and I can't believe that something can't be done to stop it happening", she said.

The roads around Mrs Hewlett's home were only just passable at the moment, she said

Mrs Hewlett said she noticed the flooding getting worse over the last six years.

The pensioner added she would like to see a better drainage system installed because "the roads just can't cope".

"We have had enough, it is very depressing," she added.

Her partner, Roger Sell, is deputy warden at Marden's St Mary the Virgin church.

He was taking everything off the ground in the church and putting it on a higher level as a precaution.

Roger Sell said he was preparing for Marden's church to be flooded again.

The church was likely to be out of action for a month if it flooded, Mr Sell warned.

"We're very concerned but in a way we're getting used to it," he said.

On a previous occasion he had to wade out of the church when water started flowing in.

"We always watch the River Lugg no matter what time of year," he added.

He said the parish council were looking at raising the river bank to try to prevent regular flooding in the area.

Flood-water was a few inches deep outside St Mary the Virgin church.

Local businesses were also feeling the effects of the latest bout of flooding.

Sara Lewis runs Streets hair salon in the village and is getting quite a few cancellations.

The 50-year-old felt it was not fair on local businesses trying to survive, particularly at a difficult time of year.

"We've just had Christmas and first week back and we have all this disruption, so not good at all", she said.

Sara Lewis owns a hair salon in Marden and has already had cancellations because of the flooding

A local Facebook group had proved useful for updates on the condition of the roads, she added.

Mrs Lewis said she had asked her husband to pick her up in his 4x4 after she saw posts about the condition of some routes.

She said people were asking hourly on social media if certain routes were passable.

"You don't know unless you try for yourself, which can be dangerous", she added.

Herefordshire Council has been approached for a response.