Villagers were celebrating today as flood barriers saved their homes from the deluge

But elsewhere people were fighting rising tides as weathermen warned that another inch of rain was on the way

The people of Colneford Hill in White Colne sat King Canute-like behind their wooden pallet and plastic barrier.

Holding back the river - residents in White Colne saw the waters repelled by wooden barriers

The A1124 was closed by floods and in the past homes lining the bottom of the hill had been hit.

But the barrier, erected by the Environment Agency on Monday, did its job today.

Bob Westrip said the wall had saved the residents of Colneford Hill thousands of pounds.

"It's a very good temporary measure but we do need a more permanent wall."

"This is the third Christmas and New Year holiday period in a row flooding such as this has happened, but the wall has been great.

"The only problem I can see is if water breaches the wall and then it will have to be pumped out, but there is no doubt about it, it has saved a lot of these houses this time."

For information about the chance of flooding near their homes, residents can call Floodline on 0845 9881188.

Published Thursday, January 2, 2003

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