Hampshire Avon flooding described as worst ever

It is the wettest 12 months on record for the Hampshire Avon, which runs through Salisbury and nearby villages

People who have lived in a village for decades say recent flooding is the worst they can remember.

It has been the wettest recorded year for the Hampshire Avon, which runs through Britford near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

Some people left their homes and there is still a road closed in the village, the site of three river channels.

The Environment Agency said river has already had about 60 per cent of the rainfall typical for January.

"The Hampshire Avon has had it wettest 12 months on record," said an agency spokesperson, adding that records go back to 1871.

The area around Britford still has a flood warning attached to it after the recent heavy rain.

A few homes and a road are still flooded in Britford

Chair of the Parish Council and resident of 40 years, Derek Finnis, called it "an exceptional event."

He said the flooding was bad enough that at one stage he "thought of windsurfing to Tesco".

Several houses have flooded, with sandbags saving more, and Mr Finnis said the community spirit has been strong.

"All the residents have pulled together- the community's spirit has been astonishing, more than any other time in my recollection," he said.

Parish council chair Derek Finnis praised the community spirit in the village

Brian Wheeler, who has lived in Britford for 20 years, said: "Someone volunteered their tractor which was very helpful. People rang each other up, there's a village Whatsapp [group] - people offered to help with shopping and getting kids to school."

Mr Finnis said a combination of factors has led to the current flooding being particularly bad, including waterlogged ground, very high rainfall and blocked waterways.

Mr Wheeler - as well as also being on the parish council - runs a dredging company and has concerns that one of the three river channels is blocked or restricted.

Locals say they feel more needs to be done, including restoring a river bank, clearing channels of weeds and dredging.

The Environment Agency said the river catchment has already had about 60% of the rainfall typical for January

Mr Finnis explained: "It is a thorny issue and it is not reserved to Britford."

The Environment Agency said it met with representatives from the village last year.

"We are continuing to engage with the community and provide support where we are able to. The responsibility for maintenance of watercourses is for landowners," it said in a statement.

It said that water from last week's rainfall is still making its way down the rivers courses, which means a flood risk remains in some places.