Annette Thompson (58) lost thousands of pounds worth of possessions including carpets, sofas, wooden flooring and electrical equipment after floodwater poured through the downstairs of her Charles Street property.

It is believed the damage occurred when a man-hole behind her garden overflowed after the downpour at around 5.30pm.

Annette, who has lived at the property for three years, told Chad: "It started to rain and hail very strongly and it just got worse and worse.

"I tried to stop the water coming through and my family came to help. We put towels down and things like that, but there was nothing we could do against that volume of water.

"The downstairs of my house is wrecked and I am absolutely shattered by what has happened. I have lost lots of possessions and do not know where to turn right now.

"There is sludge and mess everywhere and the house stinks. The garden is full of sewage and it is disgusting. This is a horrible situation to be in and I am close to tears."

But Annette says she will now do all she can to get back on her feet as soon as possible.

"My family are doing what they can to help me, but it is going to be a long road to recovery," she said.

"I am trying to tidy my house up now, but it is hard to know where to start. This is a massive blow and it is going to be very hard to get back on my feet again."