A gym owner says he has been left devastated and his business damaged after Northumbrian Water pipes burst and flooded his business twice.

Garry Bell's Contender Gym on Yarm Street in Stockton was "thriving" - until two mains water pipes burst in the space of ten days burst and left his premises completely flooded on September 15 and nine days later on September 24.

The 42-year-old manager opened the gym in 2006 - but now all his equipment, mats, walls and flooring have all been destroyed by the floods. Priceless items including his title belts have also been water damaged.

Clean up at Contender Gym.Clean up at Contender Gym. (Image: GARRY BELL) He said: "I walked in to the gym that morning at 8am to train and it was just like a river. There was water coming in through the floor and walls.

"It was like a hosepipe and we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. From 8am that day until 1am the following morning it did not stop."

Pictures show the water pouring in through the walls and up through the floor itself as the team brushed it out.

Garry Bell, owner of Contender gym.Garry Bell, owner of Contender gym. (Image: GARRY BELL) The hours that followed saw Garry and others taking bins filled with water out of the premises.

Whilst he was able to save some damaged items including his title belt from winning a European Championship and computers, just over a week later disaster struck again and a second burst pipe flooded the gym.

He said: "It just flooded the whole gym again - you cannot even make it up and I really cannot believe it myself. 

"I built this from nothing - my business has been thriving and now I've had members who have cancelled."

Following the disaster, some members of Garry's gym have gone elsewhere meaning he is trying to get his business back up and running but also attract former members back.

Now, he faces a wait to not only get the premises safe again but also getting back his equipment and officially opening again for business.

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Northumbrian Water has confirmed that they are working with Mr Bell in assisting the clean up and next steps for the business.

A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly sorry that Mr Bell’s business has been affected. Our Insurance Team have been offering support and working alongside him in his premises since day one to help resolve any issues that have arisen because of the burst.

“We have made the necessary repair to the pipe and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”