Heading for dry land

The encroaching waters reached almost to the top of Lax Lane and for the second time in three years, residents could only watch as carpets and treasured possessions were ruined.

Some stayed to brave the rising waters, but for others, it was time to concede defeat and move out.

Rob Barton, aged 37, from Lax Lane was a victim of the 1998 flooding and was caught again yesterday. He has now resigned himself to months of work if he is to return his home to its original condition.

"I have lost everything apart from the stuff I managed to get upstairs," he said.

"The washing machine, fridge-freezer, fridge, three-piece suite, TV, cooker - they are all gone.

"A lot of that was replaced during the last floods in 1998. In three years I have had just one Christmas at home because of the flooding.

"I am totally fed up to be quite honestly. It is happening so frequently they have got to do something about it.

"It is not so much the two or three days of flooding but the four months it takes to get everything back together.

"For families in particular with children it is especially hard. It just totally disruptive especially this time of the year."

For another Lax Lane resident, Terry Dunsby, 64, this is the first time in 17 years he has been forced out of his home.

He was rescued by the Territorial Army inflatable boat aided by local firefighters.

"That was the nearest I'll get to a cruise this year," he quipped cheerfully.

Sandra Clifford, also from Lax Lane, fled her home after water reached the windows, leaving her cat up stairs with three tins of cat food and a litter tray.

"The floods are a lot worse than 1998," she added.

Pensioners Martin and Christine Deakin, from Pump Court, Lax Lane, battled to keep out the water but eventually had to give up.

"The carpets are ruined but we put plastic bags on the legs of furniture so hopefully that will be all right," said Christine.

Environment Agency experts said water levels in the town were expected to peak at 5.6-5.8 metres at around midday today.

Praying couple plucked to safety

A VICAR and his wife spent the night praying the floods would subside after they were part of a mass evacuation in Bewdley.

The Rev John O'Brien and his wife Marie were among dozens of homeowners plucked from Lax Lane.

Speaking minutes after the fire brigade rescued the couple from their cottage last night, Mrs O'Brien said floodwater in the street was already at shoulder height.

Inside the cottage, it was rising fast.

"We thought we could ride it out, but it's too high," she said."The heating had to go off yesterday and it would be too cold and damp to stay.

"When the police rang and asked if we wanted to be rescued, we jumped at the chance."

Soldiers of the Ist Btn The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters Regiment were caring for the evacuees overnight.

"Everyone's been absolutely marvellous," Mrs O'Brien added. "It's just the water that's a pain. We've moved everything we can upstairs and we've put all the important stuff on blocks, but the water's close.

"We're just praying that it'll stop before it hits them. In 25 years, this has never happened and we do love living here. We've just got to put up with the bad bits."

Caravan rescue

A MAN, his dog and two cats had to be rescued from eight feet of water at a caravan park near Worcester, last night.

A crew from Worcester's White Watch took a boat to the middle-aged man's aid at around 6.40pm.

A Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade spokeswoman said the man was stranded in his bungalow at the Riverside Caravan Park in Holt Fleet. He had previously refused to leave.

"We took him out of eight feet of water and he was OK," said the spokeswoman.

"We also rescued his dog and two cats. The levels had risen quite quickly in that area and it took him by surprise I think."

The man has not been named.

Royal Oak should survive

THE last link with the Royal Oak in which King Charles II hid from Cromwell's troops following the Battle of Worcester in 1651, could survive despite being a victim of the weekend's storms.

The tree in the grounds of Boscobel House, Bishops Wood, near Wolverhampton, grew from one of the original oak's acorns and it has 5,000 visitors every year. It was split by high winds and there were fears that it would die.

Tree surgeons submitted reports to English Heritage and its assistant regional director David Hickie said the outlook was "hopeful".

"The upper branches remaining were twisted in the strong winds and we are advised these should be cut back."

"This will leave two substantial branches about 30 to 40 feet above ground level which we will be able to maintain. There is no reason why the tree should not be standing in another 100 years time."

Blood stocks at low ebb

THE National Blood Service is appealing to Worcestershire donors to make every effort to attend sessions in the county.

"Many of our donors are coming down with coughs and colds and there is the additional factor of bad weather affecting travelling for donors attending sessions," said Jim Moir of the service.

"It would be much appreciated if donors, especially those who have not been able to attend in the last six months, could do all they can in order to support local hospitals.

"We currently have three days blood in stock, when we ideally like to hold five days stock especially in the run-up to Christmas.

"This is why it is vitally important for donors who have received an invitation to attend their local donor session."

For information about local sessions or about enrolling call the National Donor Helpline on 0345 711 711 or visit the website on www.blood.co.uk