Elderly woman on anxiety medication after flooding

A woman who tried to sell her "nightmare" home that has been flooded dozens of times says she has to take anxiety medicine due to stress.

Patricia Clarke and Peter Clarke, who have lived in their Swindon home for three years, say they have spent around £8,000 on protecting it from a "river" of water, which they say is caused by a nearby pond owned by Swindon Borough Council.

The local authority has said it is "incredibly sympathetic" to the couple's situation and is looking at ways to "mitigate the problems" affecting them.

But Mr Clarke said he remains angry at the council for not taking action and is worried for his wife, who spends sleepless nights making sure the water does not enter their home.

"It makes me feel angry," he said. "I get worried for Trish, for her mental health, it's terrible."

The couple has built dams, bought sandbags, installed drainage, replaced floors and installed gravel boards around the house in an attempt to protect it from water that often contains sewage.

"I sit up at night to make sure it's not coming into the house and I take anxiety meds now," Mrs Clarke said.

"It's like a river running through our garden up to our conservatory.

"We've had to learn to live with it because the council will not do anything, they just call it a run-off and say it's our responsibility."

The council has said it would "assist" Mrs Clarke "by providing sandbags and support where needed".

"[But] would encourage Mrs Clarke to look at what she can do herself from within her own property boundary to help prevent flooding," the council added.

"We are incredibly sympathetic to the situation and looking at ways to mitigate the problems affecting Mrs Clarke."

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