Malmesbury Mayor Ray Sanderson has praised his townspeople for rallying together in a time of need.

He said: “Thank you to everybody, especially the emergency services and local people.

“There’s been a fantastic community spirit and the Rose and Crown has been absolutely fantastic.

“The fire service have been absolutely magnificent, they’ve really put their heart and soul into it.

“They have been really good, amazing. They continued all day Sunday and Monday mopping out premises.”

Coun Sanderson has already started campaigning for donations of furniture for flood victims.

He said: “Through the South Cotswolds Rotary Club we have already been given some dehumidifiers, and I have launched an appeal.

“Donations should be sent to the town hall made payable to the Mayor’s Appeal, with flooding written somewhere.”

Anyone with furniture to donate to the appeal should contact Coun Sanderson on (01666) 822303.