DOZENS of homes were affected by flash floods last night.
The worst-hit area was County Durham, where at least 50 properties were flooded.
At Lanchester, near Stanley, more than 40 shops, pubs and homes were flooded in and around Front Street, between about 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
Consett fire brigade sub officer Colin Wheatly said: "We had five appliances pumping out properties for three hours. There's some people who are very upset, as you can imagine."
Three homes, including one which has been flooded four times in two years, were also flooded in Tudhoe Colliery Front Street. Another badly-affected area was Attwood Terrace at nearby Spennymoor.
Tudhoe Colliery resident Gordon McMillen, said: "Thankfully, my home is okay but I've been helping the others bail out the water and sludge. One lady had just bought new carpets. No one can believe this is happening again."
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