Action call over flash flooding

Homes were flooded for the sixth time in four years

Residents in a County Antrim village are calling for flood defence work to begin immediately.

It comes after their homes at Stone Bridge Meadows in Stoneyford were affected by flooding for the sixth time in four years.

They said more than £750,000 had been set aside for the project.

The Rivers Agency said it was aware of the situation faced by some residents in Stoneyford and that work was due to start in the next week.

Flash floods at the weekend also affected homes in counties Armagh and Down.

Water levels reached up to five feet in some places. About 20 houses were damaged in scenes reminiscent of June's floods.

The M2 motorway was closed for a time between Greencastle and Sandyknowes afer the rain damaged a wall at the Colinbridge.

Overflowing sewers

Kevin Foxwell from Stone Bridge Meadows in Stoneyford said his neighbour's home had been flooded so often that it could be insured.

The Fire and Rescue Service said it was difficult to deal with the flooding, as drains and sewers were overflowing.

The Rivers Agency said there were agreed protocols between themselves, Northern Ireland Water and Roads Service to provide an emergency flooding response.