WE'RE only seven days into 2016 but the county is still facing up to the consequences of one of the wettest Decembers on record.

Flood barriers were raised in Hereford as a precaution last week and there have been numerous minor road closures and localised flooding.

According to the Met Office, the average December rainfall for Herefordshire is 82.8mm. In December 2015, there was a total rainfall of 140.9mm – 170 per cent times the average.

But floodwater did not stop punters in the Golden Valley from enjoying a pint at their local, providing they could 'park and walk'.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding of the Escley Brook next to the Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch Escley. The road next to the pub was impassable and the water level was only a foot away from flooding the pub itself.

Glyn Bufton, who runs the Inn as well as the nearby Bridge Farmhouse B&B, said: "The floodwater was over the bridge so you couldn't drive to the pub. People parked at the end of the road and walked down.

"It was over a period of about 24 hours. It's was as bad as I have ever seen it. The footpath is about six feet higher than the bridge so people could still use that but without that we would have had to close."

Mr Bufton said around 30 people still braved the wet conditions to have their lunch at the pub.

Meanwhile a Herefordshire-based dog display team is desperately searching for alternative land on which to practice before show season starts.

Stuart Brace, who runs Paws For Thought, said his team has been unable to practice at their usual venue, at Wyevale, due to the sodden ground.

There are just six weeks until the first event and Mr Brace said the team urgently needs somewhere to train.

"We have put our heads together and approached a number of riding schools but they are booked up," he said.

Anyone who can help should call Mr Brace on 01568 797016.

Flood alerts remained in place at the time of going to press yesterday, although warnings had been removed.

The Met Office said there is likely to be a mixture of sunshine and showers for the county over the next few days. And although it's too early to be certain, the winter gear may have to come out next week with a colder snap possibly on the way.