Beleaguered residents warn flooding fears could see locals leave Hebden Bridge

• Video report by ITV News correspondent Martin Geissler

Cafe owner Valeen Jones estimates the cost of repairing her premises after it was swamped by nearly five foot of flood waters will be about £50,000.

The last flood cost her £30,000.

Thousands of homes and businesses across the north of England have been affected by flooding that hit at the end of last year.

Valeen is one of hundreds affected by the floods in Hebden Bridge.

Residents of the West Yorkshire market town say without proper flood prevention the floods will become a recurring nightmare, and many could leave as a result.

To compound the problem those who have been flooded in the past find themselves unable to buy insurance.

Even a local insurance company, where employees went back to work on Monday as best they could amid the flood damage, has found itself unable to insure its offices because it was flooded in 2012.

Judi Choisanthou, who heads the Hebden Bridge flood committee, said the town's very future is at stake.

"People say if it happens again they're leaving," she told ITV News.

Ms Choisanthou speaks from experience - she had to escape through her bathroom window after her home was flooded on Boxing Day.

The government has pledged more than £40m to fix flood defences, including those on the Clader near Hebden Bridge.

Residents will be waiting to see if the promised funds can make a difference.