FEARFUL householders in Pennys Lane and Pennys Crescent in Fordingbridge were desperately trying to shore up their homes as the Journal went to press.

Glenda Wadhams, who lives in Pennys Crescent, called us after water rose from the road, over the kerb and into their gardens within three hours on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Wadhams called the Environment Agency and Hampshire County Council and secured sandbags to stop the water getting in, and most of the water drained away by the morning.

But the incident has scared her, with more rain and high winds predicted.

She said: “We’re all in a bit of a panic.

“When the water came over kerb and into gardens I called round and eventually got the right number and was promised 50 sandbags.

“They didn’t arrive within a couple of hours so I called again to say 50 wouldn’t be enough and I was promised 100. I felt like I was going round in circles.

“But they arrived and over the evening we had three lorry-loads. Everyone helped and it was wonderful.

“Thankfully they turned up with lots and lots of sandbags – we have sandbags everywhere. I have nothing but praise for them.

“We’ve lifted everything up off the floor and we’re trying to keep each other calm.”