Buying and renovating a dream home became a nightmare for a Wiltshire couple beset by flooding woes.

Mark and Lavinia Bramwell moved into Post Office Cottage on The Street in Lydiard Millicent two years ago and invested heavily in sprucing up the postcard-perfect property that dates back to the 1750s.

But the historic house has been flooded twice since they settled in the village near Swindon as water pours downhill right into their front door.

When they saw the forecast for Storm Bert, the pair set up a makeshift dam of breezeblocks to divert the floodwater away.

Their previous insurance claims totalled £25,000, so Mark fears that a third time would make it uninsurable and the damage would be too costly to repair.

He said: “Every time it rains, there’s a river running down the street from the local farmland further up, and that’s going to happen more regularly due to climate change.

“The drains at the top of the hill can’t cope with the water so they overflow and our home on the corner is the main point of impact. No-one else is affected because after us, the water runs along the kerb.

“There were no flood risks when we carried out surveys before buying the property.

“Neighbours who have lived here for 60 years say they’ve never known anything like this flooding before.”

Mark and Lavinia would like the local authority to add an extra bit of kerb to the corner which would send any floodwater away from Post Office Cottage.

Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways and flooding, said: “Climate change is bringing milder, wetter winters to Wiltshire and we are also seeing more storms and heavy rainfall.

“We understand how distressing flooding can be for our communities and are committed to doing all we can to support affected residents and businesses “We have been made aware of the issues raised by the owners of the property on The Street in Lydiard Millicent and our officers have already reached out to the affected resident.

“A long-term solution is being explored to help alleviate water entering the carriageway from adjacent land and to increase the capacity of existing highway drainage.

“Details of the support potentially available following Storm Bert has not yet been released by central government.

“Despite this, we are asking residents affected by flooding to email customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk with their details, while businesses can contact hello@swgrowthhub.co.uk with their name, property address and email.

“We will then provide updates as soon as further information is available.”

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