Crops and animals lost to floods

Hundreds of homes in Morpeth were affected

Farmers in Northumberland are counting the cost of the worst floods to hit the county in 50 years.

Areas around Morpeth and Rothbury were among the worst affected in the weekend deluge, which saw a month's rainfall in just a day.

As the clean-up continues amid warnings of more downfalls on Tuesday, some farmers say they have lost crops and livestock worth thousands of pounds.

One farmer near Wooler, described the situation as "heartbreaking."

In Morpeth alone, more than 1,000 properties were affected by flood water as the River Wansbeck burst its banks on Saturday.

Although no-one was seriously hurt, council officials say it will be months before everyone affected will be allowed back into their homes.

I feel for some of my neighbours who have livestock and tried their best to save as many as possible Farmer, Simon Henderson

Simon Henderson, who farms 600 acres at Doddington, near Wooler, said the floods were "the worst seen in living memory."

Mr Henderson said crops of potatoes, peas, carrots, wheat and barley were all under about 3ft of water.

He said: "Certain crops can tolerate water more than others, but many will start to rot instantly.

"There is also a lot of debris like trees and even cars that has been thrown into the fields by the flood water.

"I feel for some of my neighbours who have livestock and tried their best to save as many as possible. But an awful lot has been swept away.

"As a group we were out on Monday trying to find out how many stock were left and it is just a heartbreaking experience."

Floods recovery minister John Healey promised to consider more help for Morpeth, which has been earmarked by the Environment Agency for improved flood defences.

He also praised the response by the emergency services, who rescued hundreds from waterlogged homes.