SHRAWLEY RESIDENTS in Shrawley are undergoing a mammoth clear-up today after torrential downpours caused devastation throughout the village.

At Church Farm, Josephine and Christopher Evans watched in disbelief as Dick Brook burst its banks, causing Glazen Bridge to collapse and the flood waters come tearing straight through their 500-year-old property at around midnight on Tuesday.

"Before we knew what had hit us we were under four foot of water," said Mrs Evans.

"The force of the water caused a padlocked iron gate to break. The water swept across our driveway lifting the Tarmac before it knocked a brick wall down."

The water rose quickly and wrote off three of the Evans's vehicles - including Mr Evans's prized Jaquar Sovereign which was locked in the garage.

When the water started pouring into the house, Mrs Evans stood and held her French doors open for over an hour to let it flow straight through the property. The downstairs living room, kitchen and study - where all of the couple's business records are housed - have been ruined. To make matters worse, family friends that the Evans's haven't seen for 25 years are due to arrive from Australia tomorrow.

One of the only things still standing outside is a statue of Saint Francis of Assissi. "It's rather ironic really," Mrs Evans said. "God must have been looking down on him."

Further down the road at The Paddock, Geraldine Kirk was taking refuge in her top floor kitchen while firefighters pumped out the two feet of water that flooded the entire ground floor of her home.

"I came home at 9.30pm and the garage was under water, and then it just kept rising," Mrs Kirk said.

"I went to bed as there was absolutely nothing I could do.

"Seven rooms are under water and I've no idea how long the clean-up operation will take. A similar thing happened 11 years ago but since then the drains have been sorted and we thought we'd be safe - obviously not."

Dom Turner remained philosophical despite the fact that the water had swept through his brand new extension at Frog Pool Cottage opposite the Rose and Crown pub.

"My wife Jo and I thought it was just a downpour to star with but then water started pouring in. We put everything on the tables and then a neighbour came and offered us a bed for the night, which was great.

"We can't move back in as there is no drainage. But you have to stay smiling - there's people worse off."

ASTLEY In Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn firefighters were called to Priors Mill where a man had become marooned on a patio table.

The man, who was house-sitting became trapped when Dick Brook burst its banks, surging through the building at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.

When firefighters were unable to gain access, a coastguard helicopter, from RAF Kinloss, was scrambled because none of the local helicopters have a winch facility.

However, the waters receded before the helicopter arrived, and firefighters were able to reach the man and to help him to safety.

This morning, the rescued man was too upset to speak, but one man on site, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was like a mini Tsunami. The water just came straight through.

"It's very upsetting as we have lost a dog and a rabbit. The kennel was just washed away. "

The helicopter stayed in the area, the searchlight sweeping the flooded areas to pick out anyone in trouble or who was at risk of being swept away.

SUCKLEY RESIDENTS in one Suckley road also had a wet night when water flooded down from fields and straight into their gardens and homes.

One Woodland Road resident, Lucy Andrews, said two of her neighbours were forced to seek alternative accommodation for the night.

"There were three houses seriously flooded," she said.

"Residents from two properties were forced to seek alternative accomodation for the night and are cleaning up today and waiting for Insurance assessors to arrive.

"The water flooded down from the farm and fields behind our houses and straight onto our road.

Also the estate at the back of us slopes down towards our house and, as there is no drainage, the water runs straight down the road into our garden then out onto the road."