Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visit flood-hit areas

Alistair Sinclair (L) showed the Duchess (R) and High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Henry Robinson the damage to his home

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have met people whose homes were damaged in recent flooding.

The Royal couple visited Alney Terrace in Gloucester and Abbey Terrace in Tewkesbury, alongside members of the council and local emergency services.

Residents across the county are cleaning up after many were evacuated during last week's severe flooding.

"It's nice that they're taking notice," said Alney Island resident Alistair Sinclair.

The Royals joined representatives from the Environment Agency (EA), Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) to hear the experiences of local people and how the incident was responded to.

David Hill from SARA said: "We're just proud to be able to help the poor people that need it at the time."

"Its quite a surreal experience to be riding in a boat down a main road with five feet of water beneath you," said David Hill from SARA, adding: "It can be dangerous.

"Some of the people have unfortunately flooded before... but if you've had a property for the first time flooded, it must be a terrible shock.

"All we can do is try to make it as easier in what is a very stressful period for them."

Many residents had to remove carpets and furniture that were ruined by floodwater

Teams from SARA rescued people and their pets from their homes

Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said the authority offered "the maximum that we were able to" to residents affected by the floods.

He added that sandbags would have been a "waste of resources", as they are not effective against the sort of dramatic flooding that hit the county.

Richard Cook said funding would be made available to help residents make their homes "more resilient"

Mr Sinclair, who spoke to the Royal couple, added: "Someone needs to take notice also where it matters," - referring to a wall that water overtopped during the flooding.

"This could have been reduced if the defences had been of the correct height, or built correctly in the first place," he said.

The Duke and Duchess went inside residents' homes to see the damage

John Badham (L) spoke about his cottage flooding

John Badham, whose Tewkesbury cottage was flooded, said: "We got the impression that the floods had peaked on Tuesday so we were fairly relaxed. And then they just poured in on Wednesday - rather reminiscent of 2007.

"If you want to be a pessimist, perhaps in the long-term these cottages don't have a chance of survival.

"It is very difficult to find a long-term solution," said Marc Lidderth, from the Environment Agency

"If you cant get insurance, if the value of the properties collapses, it will become a slum or it will become derelict properties.

"That would be sad wouldn't it? They're 18th Century cottages, it would be quite nice if they survived."

Marc Lidderth said the EA was working "very closely" with councils and residents to work out the best options for Gloucestershire.