Storm Babet flood repairs give ill girl hope of Christmas at home

Emily Eden (left) and parents Dawn and Richard have been forced out of their home

A terminally-ill teenager has been given hope of celebrating Christmas at home after rapid repairs to her flood-damaged house.

Emily Eden, 18, has been living in a hotel room with her parents since water deluged their house in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, during Storm Babet.

The family had been warned it could be six months before they could return home.

However workmen have "pulled out all the stops" to get them back in sooner.

Insurers are paying for the repairs but more than £11,000 has been raised to support the family

Emily's father, Richard Eden, said: "I've been told we'll probably be back in for 23 December, which is amazing.

"To Emily that would mean everything."

"They've ripped the floors up and dried the house out totally, the plaster's off the walls and ceiling's down," Mr Eden said.

"They've got probably 15 men on the job - even working weekends."

The flood water destroyed many of the Eden's possessions

Mr Eden said he and his wife Dawn had feared for their daughter's wellbeing the longer they all remained in the hotel room with the family's two dogs.

"It's a horrible situation. I don't get much sleep and I'm waking up at night to check if she's still breathing," he said.

"It is hard. Emily gets us through every day because she's so strong and brave."

Mr Eden said the flood repairs were being paid for by insurers but he again thanked the local community which has raised some £11,000 to support Emily in recent weeks.

Jai Bowling, of contractors Belfor Ltd, who are carrying out the repairs, said the job had "tugged on the heartstrings" of his team.

He said "It's a battle but there is a fighting chance of having [the Edens] back in by 23 December."