Flood victims still in caravans

Gardens are being used as caravan sites as people struggle to get back to normal after the devastating summer floods, reports the Grimsby Telegraph.

Many are concerned they will be spending Christmas in their mobile homes as homes dry out and home insurance claims are assessed.

Local couple Mike and Carol Pierce have decamped to their front garden where they use their caravan as a dining room and living area and then retreat back to their bedrooms, which were unaffected by storm water.

Mr Pierce, still trying to work out how the flooding became so severe, said: "Why was the River Freshney a lot higher than it should have been weeks after the flooding?"

He is also concerned about the extent drains have been cleaned and wonders if anything has been done to stop any future flooding.

The government announced yesterday it was going to pump £800 million a year into upgrading flood defences in the country.

This was denounced as inadequate by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

12/10/2007 16:05:48