A WORCESTER golf club has been forced to close five times in the past 12 months because of flooding.

Kate and Gary Kibblewhite, who run the Worcester Golf Range in Weir Lane, Lower Wick, are once again waiting for water from the river Severn to recede.

It is a situation the couple, who live on site, are getting used to.

The range, which opened in 1972, lies in a flood plain and is often submerged by water.

However, it is the frequency of the floods - five since January 2007 - that causes problems.

"It's dreadful," said 51-year-old Mrs Kibblewhite.

"Thankfully it never comes in the buildings but we have been forced to close five times since January last year. Although we expect it, it's the frequency that so difficult. We barely get time to catch a break."

Mrs Kibblewhite said the floods had cost the business about £100,000.

The range, which includes a pitch and putt course, has been shut since Monday, January 14, and there is little sign that it will be able to re-open soon.

"There's is nothing we can do but sit and wait," said Mrs Kibblewhite.

"It really affects our livelihood because we live here. It's grim. And each time we have to clear up all the flotsam and jetsam, collect any balls and wait for the ground to dry out, which totally depends on the weather. It totally closes us down."