A COUPLE from Bewdley who have been made homeless after their flat was "battered" by flooding say they would not have got through the ordeal without the support of the local community.

Michael Allarton, husband Dan-Jay and their two dogs were forced to flee their ground floor flat in Stourport Road, at Beales Corner, on Sunday after waking up to find the property had flooded overnight.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"We went to bed Saturday night and everything was okay," said Michael, aged 34. "At 3am, the water wasn't even on our path.

"Then at about 5.30am, my husband went to have a wee and he was standing in a puddle of water.

"There was sewage coming up through the toilet and the water had come through the front and back doors.

"We left the property that morning - with the sewage everywhere, we couldn't stay.

"We have lost everything. The furniture downstairs, our beds, lots of clothes - it's all ruined. Everything needs fitting out.

"We're now homeless because of the floods. We won't be able to return, full stop.

"The people in the flat above us have been here 12 years and said they have never seen it this bad."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

The Allertons have been told their home, which was built in 1734, will be inhabitable for months as it needs a full refurbishment.

But despite losing their home, the couple has taken to social media to thank the people of Bewdley for their support.

A post from Michael on Facebook said: "I would just like to say a massive huge thank you to the community of Bewdley and the Environment Agency [for] the support we have received from everyone over the last few days."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

It went on to say: "The beautiful community we live in keeps us going, but there are a lot of guys out there suffering much more devastation than ourself from Storm Dennis, but he lived up to his name and was an utter menace. But thank you so much to the community of Bewdley."

Michael told The Shuttle: "We've had people offering us accommodation. A local farmer in Ribbesford has given us his Airbnb free of charge until Friday.

"People have offered to wash our clothes, offered us hot drinks and food. Somebody who is moving out of their house has offered us their furniture.

"We're overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. We wouldn't have got through this without it."