SALISBURY Samaritans has re-opened after a freak storm flooded its offices on July 3, forcing it to close for the first time in more than 50 years.

Downstairs offices at the charity's Salisbury and District branch in Milford Street were damaged by water and repairs took several weeks.

Only those wishing to visit the office were affected as the Samaritans phone lines, email and text services remained open with other offices in the region responding to calls.

Branch director Bev de Cuevas said: "We are sorry that we were unable to meet with people face-to-face for several weeks, but pleased that the support offered by Samaritans is now available to all once again.

"We are grateful to those who have helped us repair the damage, particularly Mark Gillott for his carpentry skills and Salisbury Carpets, and to the branch volunteers who have worked so hard to restore order."

Now the Salisbury office is open again from 9am to 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The offices are closed on Wednesday.

Other properties in Milford Street, including the Chapel nightclub, were affected by the downpour last month.

Simon Hearn, Samaritans management committee chairman said efforts to contact the Highways Agency, or anyone at County Hall, had proved impossible.

He said one Samaritans volunteer spent nearly six hours on the phone over two days trying to reach someone to talk to but could not get beyond the council's answering service.

The volunteer also tried to navigate the council's website to find a name of someone to write to or telephone but with little success.

Mr Hearn said: "42 Milford Street is a listed building and we have to work within the regulations to ensure its care.

"If flooding, whether localised within the city, or more generally, is to become an on-going problem, the problem of drains and flooding needs to be resolved."

He said the Samaritans were considered by many to be the "fourth emergency service" and said the closure would have had a huge impact on callers and on the morale of volunteers.