FEARS of repeat flooding has stopped some elderly people returning to their homes in Thirsk.

Todds Court and Gillings Court, sheltered accommodation for the elderly run by Broadacres, were among the worst affected premises in the town last November.

The residents affected were evacuated from their homes, and the majority of them have not returned to them through fear of being flooded again.

Mr David Oliphant from Broadacres, said: "All but two of our residents at Gillings Court and Todds Court have been relocated and have been given their preferred accommodation.

"In many cases residents who were very fond of their homes didn't want to go back, because of the damage that was done and they have been relocated to alternative accommodation that they wanted."

While Gillings Court was refurbished relatively quickly, the damage at Todds Court, which was built on the banks of Cod Beck in the town, was more serious and has taken longer to repair.

"At the moment we are discussing ways of reducing the effects of flooding to our properties with Hambleton District Council," said Mr Oliphant.

"The long-term view is that we would be able to put control measures in to minimise if not eradicate the problem."

Other residents in the area who are still waiting to get back into their homes after the damage caused during the floods, include five out of ten residents of Riverside Mews.

Donna Goudy, aged 19, who had moved into her home just a month before the floods, has been living with her parents since November when 18ins of water flowed in after Cod Beck flooded.

She said: "I've no idea when I'll be back in. I can't wait to go back to my own home, but it's a bit daunting. When it rains you're constantly watching and waiting."

She added: "Everything was ruined. They ripped the whole of the downstairs out, but it isn't just downstairs. Because of the damp, upstairs is bad as well. It all smells and the wallpaper is peeling off."

One couple who managed to return to their home in Finkle Street a week ago are Mr Tony Konieczny, aged 77, and his wife Kay.

However, the builders have not finished repair work, their kitchen is unfinished and the whole experience has been a nightmare for them.

"It's been awful. It's absolute chaos, we've building materials all over the house," said Mr Konieczny.

When asked how long it would be before his home was back to normal, he replied: "How long's a piece of string?"

The couple have lived at the house for 47 years and know when the nearby Cod Beck is in danger of flooding.

However, three floods in as many days, the last of which resulted in 4ft of water flowing into their house, was too much to cope with.

Mr Konieczny said: "It's heartbreaking really. All our furniture was thrown out, everything has gone. Quite a lot of personal things which we lost will never be replaced."