Wainfleet flooding: All evacuees can return home

Hundreds of people were evacuated in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, after their homes flooded

Residents who were evacuated from their homes in a flooded Lincolnshire town can now return home, emergency planners have said.

More than 580 homes in Wainfleet were evacuated last week due to fears of flooding from the River Steeping, which burst its banks after heavy rainfall.

About half of the people moved were allowed back earlier on Friday.

Lincolnshire Police it was now safe to return to the remaining 248 properties.

Assistant Chief Constable Shaun West said: "We appreciate that this has been emotional and distressing time for local residents, and our organisations will be providing ongoing support as things gets back to normal."

Nearly 130 homes were flooded when the river burst its banks after the equivalent of about two months' rain fell between Monday and Wednesday last week, forcing 1,000 people out of their homes.

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The breach in the river bank was filled by RAF helicopters dropping tonnes of ballast into the gap.

The Environment Agency said it had reinforced the temporary repairs and had installed CCTV and measuring equipment to monitor the river level.

A more permanent repair involving steel sheets will be carried out over the next few weeks.

The River Steeping burst its banks after the equivalent of about two months' rain fell in two days