Market Harborough flash floods clean-up starts

Wesley Suter from Steffan's Jewellers said he had been working through the night to clean up his shop

Waterstones in Market Harborough was also beginning a clean-up operation

Christian West from caterers Emerson and West said he had to throw out bags of food contaminated by flood water

The nearby River Welland did not burst its banks but its water levels were high after the heavy rainfall

Despite having to close on Sunday, most shops said they were determined to reopen on Monday morning

Business owners in a Leicestershire town are cleaning up after heavy rain sparked flash floods.

About 75mm of rain fell in the county overnight - the average rainfall for July - causing flooding in Market Harborough.

Shops along the High Street were flooded after heavy rain started falling in the town at about 19:00 BST.

Several Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for Leicestershire, meaning flooding is possible.

'British resilience'

Christian West, from Emerson and West Caterers in Market Harborough, said he returned to his business on Saturday night to find the shop under about a foot of water.

The High Street in Market Harborough was flooded

"It was pretty horrendous," he said.

"It is difficult to add up the cost of the damage at the moment but it's going to lead to thousands.

"There was a lot of stock near ground level and with food, you don't take any chances."

Wesley Suter, from neighbouring Steffan's Jewellers, said despite being unable to open on Sunday, he was aiming to have the shop back in business on Monday.

"My colleague came in about 21:00 BST to find the place flooded," he said.

"We're closed today to clear up but the plan is to open tomorrow - good, British resilience."

More showers are expected overnight which could be "heavy at times", the Met Office said.