BBC journalist furious with city council

A BBC journalist who spent more than a month living in a hotel after she was forced out of her home by flooding says she is angry with the authorities and worried about the future.

Lynne French, 57, pictured right, moved into the Premier Inn at Marsh Mills when her house in Golden Square, Colebrook, was swamped with water just before Christmas.

Fire crews and neighbours battled for nine hours to contain the deluge that ran through the village on December 21.

Mrs French said: "It was like King Canute trying to hold back the tide.

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"I put a message on Facebook and within half an hour I had about 12 people here helping.

"It was coming through the front door and the back door. Probably about three-quarters of downstairs was covered in water."

Mrs French, who works as an online journalist for the BBC, salvaged what she could but the entire ground floor of the house will need to be renovated.

She said: "The only thing I have not lost downstairs is the TV. Everything else has been completely ruined."

The floors and walls are cracked and mouldy, plywood boards have been nailed over the front and back doors and several large dehumidifier machines have been placed around the house in an attempt to dry it out.

Mrs French moved into rented accommodation on Saturday, but it could be up to six months before she can return home.

She has been told her insurance will cover her for this incident - the cost of which could run to £40,000 - but fears for the future.

"What I am really worried about is that my policy is up for renewal in May and I have got a feeling they will not cover me for flooding anymore," she said.

"I need new furniture, a builder, a kitchen fitter, an electrician, a gas engineer, a new washing machine and fridge and temporary accommodation. The list goes on and on.

"It's really hard. I try to stay positive but sometimes it's quite daunting.

"It's all very well saying 'It's just stuff', and that's true, but it's my home. It's not just a house."

She added: "I am really angry with Plymouth City Council. I have written a letter and there has been no response from PCC. Nobody from the council has come anywhere near any of us in the village and I think that is appalling."

A council spokeswoman said: "Lynne did not write to us; she copied us in on a letter to the Prime Minister. However, we have met with Lynne and discussed her concerns and Gary Streeter MP is organising another public meeting to update residents."