BUSINESSES on a Stourport industrial estate were left deluged by up to four and a half feet of water after the floods swept onto the site.

About 10 firms on the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate were left paralysed as vehicles and offices were swamped by rampaging water which had overspilled from Stourport Marina and the River Severn.

Pat Jones, a partner of A & P Transport, one of the many haulage businesses located there, said: "It was like a scene of devastation.

"There were cars, equipment and tools completely under water, which has never happened here before.

"There was no way anyone could work, can you imagine carrying out car repairs in a swimming pool?"

Mrs Jones, who said the worst of the flooding occurred last Wednesday and Thursday, added: "Cars had to be abandoned and I would estimate several of the firms have lost hundreds of pounds worth of equipment.

"Some business owners were ferried across the estate in little boats to see what damage had been caused at their premises."