Lancashire village of Croston escapes the worst of Storm Frank after community comes together to shore up flood defences

The village of Croston in Lancashire appears to have escaped the worst of Storm Frank after fears a breach in a nearby flood defence could cause heavy flooding.

The Army and emergency services worked through the day to fill the breach on the River Douglas after an RAF chinook dropped heavy sandbags there yesterday.

Residents earlier prayed for those who had been flooded and praised the "commitment, compassion and courage" of the emergency services during a service at a local church.

The Environment Agency organising sandbags in Croston to breach the gap in a broken defence on the River Douglas. Credit: Environment Agency

Croston was put under three severe flood warnings on the River Yarrow which runs through the village but despite overnight downpours and rain this morning it escaped further damage.

On Boxing Day the village was deluged and a huge hole was left in an earth bank damming the River Douglas just outside the village.

Reverend Michael Wood, who took today's service at the church, said:

During the service the rains returned again - but the worst of the weather from Storm Frank hit further north.

A clean-up operation is still ongoing in Croston, as the army, fire service and Environment Agency work to plug the gap in the flood defences on the River Douglas.

Huge pumps and fire hoses are being used to disperse the flood water, left several feet deep in the fields around the village.

Fire engines, army trucks, police and Environment Agency workers along with an army of builders and utilities workers are still working with locals as the village returns to normal.

The village in the heart of rural Lancashire has also seen an influx of volunteers, from as far away as Coventry and Slough, as part of a Sikh charity, Khalsa Aid, which is supplying free food to locals and tired emergency service workers.

The Croston Sports and Social Club has been inundated with donated mops, buckets and cleaning materials following an appeal.

Credit: Environment Agency

Lisa Pinney, flood manager for the Environment Agency, said:

The Environment Agency will now be looking at whether the severe flood warnings should be downgraded, as rain eases and more favourable weather is forecast in the next 24 hours.

But the breach in the flood defences on the River Douglas is still a priority and helicopters may return tomorrow, weather permitting.

More good news came as Lancashire County Council has received confirmation from central Government that funding will be available for residents and businesses hit by the floods during both Storm Desmond earlier this month and the latest storm.

Every household affected will be eligible to receive £500, with payments to be made by district councils, generally to the person registered for Council Tax.