Residents clear flooded gardens

Residents want long term measures to address the problem

More than 20 gardens were flooded in a downpour in Newcastle, County Down.

People in the Mourneview area had to pump water with sewage out of their gardens and use sandbags to protect their homes after heavy rain on Sunday.

Residents said it was not the first time it had happened and the Water Service has said a drainage study is under way in the area.

"Upgrading the pumping capacity of Murlough sewage pumping station, is being considered," a spokesperson said.

Local resident Judy Maguire said this was the worst flooding she had seen in 20 years of living in the area.

"I've had to stay in all day, standing at the door to wait for sandbags," she said.

Long term measures

"It has just been a really distressing day."

Teams from the Rivers Agency and the Roads and Water Services went to the scene to try to solve the problem.

Residents said measures must be taken to address the problem in the long term to prevent possible worse cases of flooding in the area.

Meanwhile, the Mourne Rescue team was called out on Sunday to bring a group of walkers to safety.

They were stranded after the Yellow Water River near Rostrevor became impassable in the heavy rain.