Last night's flash floods caused extensive water damage to Don and Diane Johnston's home on Shurnhold, Melksham, but the couple aren't letting the weather dampen their festive spirits.

They moved to Melksham from London six months ago, and are still looking forward to enjoying their grandson's first Christmas.

Mrs Johnston said: "We’re sat in our house now and it’s about three or four inches high. All the streams here are flooded, and a few houses along it’s much worse.

“It must have happened during the night as we didn’t hear a thing, we just woke up this morning and had to put our wellies on. Now we’re just trying to get the last of our furniture off the ground.

“There’s an elderly lady who lives behind us and her house is flooded, but she has gone away for Christmas, so hopefully someone’s got some contact details for her.

“We only moved here six months ago from London to experience the countryside, and I guess that’s what we’ve got. We don’t mind though, we love it here.

“We have met a few different people this morning, it’s a shame that it’s under these circumstances, but it’s nice to speak to neighbours face-to-face. It’s definitely bringing the community together, and I’m sure we will all pull through.

“We are all smiling and getting on with it. The fire brigade have been out here, but they’ve turned down all our offers of tea. The camaraderie is good and everyone’s spirits are high.

“We have got neighbours with little children but they don’t seem to mind.

“My son and his wife arrived yesterday with their new little baby to spent the holidays with us, so it’s a bit different for them, but you just get on with it and manage the best you can, don’t you?

“He’s only a few months old, so this will be his first experience of floods, but we’re all just looking forward to Christmas.”