February 23, 2001 10:13: THE worst floods in almost 70 years have swept through the Hambleden Valley damaging roads, drains and swamping properties.

Pensioners who have lived in the valley all their lives say they cannot remember a time when the water levels were this high.

The Hamble Brook, which runs from Turville down through to Mill End, has burst it banks all through the valley. Springs forming in the chalk-based Chiltern Hills gushed down through the valley and into the brook, as ground water reached saturation level.

Roderick Baird, a Hambleden parish councillor, who lives in the village square which was flooded out last Monday, warned it was going to get worse.

He added: "Nobody in the village has ever seen anything like it in over 60 years. I'm one of the lucky ones. My home hasn't been flooded."

Cllr Baird said residents were out digging channels last Monday through the allotments in Hambleden to release some of the water pressure.

He also praised the efforts of Wycombe District Council, saying: "They have been quite amazing giving out sandbags. They were out in the village until 10pm last week trying to fix things."

Watery Lane, the road between Turville and Skirmett, has been turned into a river.

Don Poppy, who lives in Skirmett, said: "Back in 1935 the Free Press ran an article when the water levels came up to similar levels. Before that the worst time was 1924."

He added: "There is going to be a lot of damage to the roads and drainage system. A lot of repairs will be needed."

David Langton