FIVE months on from the floods that ravaged parts of Cumbria, residents of a South Lakeland village have still not been able to return to their swamped homes.

Burneside was almost cut off as the River Kent burst its banks during November’s deluge.

Among the properties most badly hit were cottages along Bridge Street and Steele’s Row.

Wendy Goodwin, 26, and husband Daniel, 29, moved into a cottage on Bridge Street in July last year – just four months before the floods forced them out.

“We sandbagged the kitchen door but it went over the top,” said Mrs Goodwin.

“We didn’t realise it was going to be as bad as it was. It was up to my husband’s waist and he is six feet tall.”

Mrs Goodwin was heavily pregnant at the time and the couple, along with six-year-old Harry and 18-month-old Freddy, had to stay with friends for six weeks before they found temporary accommodation.

Mrs Goodwin gave birth to daughter Phoebe on December 22.

Jo Atkinson and her family also are still living in temporary accomodation, in Kendal, while they wait for their home to be repaired.

When the flood hit they survived for two weeks on the upstairs floor of their Old School House home.

Mrs Atkinson, who has lived in the village for 24 years, said she had not seen flooding so bad.

“It came through the floorboards and we had standing water four or five inches deep,” she said.

“We lost all of our flooring and carpets, our sofa was damaged and I have had to let my oven and dishwasher go.”

It took a while for Mrs Atkinson, daughter Rachel, 16, Jordan, 11, and their dog and two cats to find a place to stay that allowed animals.

They found a home in Kendal, in December, just in time to welcome eldest son Matthew, 20, back on leave from serving with the RAF in Afghanistan.

The family has managed to survive thanks to grants from the Cumbria flood relief fund.

“That has been excellent,” she said. “It was really useful and has helped us with clothes, furniture and travel.”

Both families have been told they will be able to move back into their homes in May.

l Residents affected by flooding in south Ulverston and Burneside are soon to benefit from £87,900 of flooding grants.

SLDC environmental protection officers have secured money to install flood resistance and resilience in homes affected by flooding.

It will include measures such as flood gates, air brick covers to stop water flowing into homes and non-return valves.

South Ulverston will see the bulk of the money, with £76,500 split between 17 homes, while £11,400 will go to two houses in Burneside.