Chesterfield: Doggy day care centre battles back from flood crisis

Water reached nearly to the top of the office window in the play barn

A dog day care centre has thanked "incredible" staff and customers who helped after it rapidly flooded.

Rose Cottage in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was swamped in a matter of minutes on 20 October.

As well as outdoor areas being inundated, the main play barn filled with several feet of water and 32 dogs had to be moved to safety.

However it reopened just two days later thanks to staff overtime and customer donations.

The site is next to the River Rother, so the team is well aware of flood risk

Due to the five-acre site being located next to the River Rother, owner Dawn Brown said she had alwasy been flood aware, and even uses a water level marker on a nearby bridge.

But events of Friday took her by surprise.

"It was horrific, it was terrifying," she said. "It reached the marker at 07:30 BST and we put flood procedures in place.

"By the time we got the [official] warning text, the water in our yard was already at waist height, it was too little too late.

"If I had not kept my eye on that marker and moved the dogs when we did, we could potentially have had a disaster on our hands."

While some equipment has been salvaged, much has had to be thrown away

The centre has suffered thousands of pounds of damage, with equipment soaked and computers ruined.

While negotiations with insurance companies are ongoing, Ms Brown said she was backed up by her staff.

"My incredible team pulled together and within two days we had jet-washed and deep cleaned and made the place operational for Monday," she said.

"Had they not worked as hard as they did, with the support of friends and family too, we would not have been operational.

"Luckily we have had some fantastic support from our customers and donations and it has been overwhelming how people have pulled together."

Despite the damage, the centre was open for business just two days after