Garden paths turned into waterfalls as homes in Carlisle were devastated by flash flooding.

As many as eight houses in Oaklands Drive, Upperby, were left sodden yesterday as water engulfed them following torrential rain.

Despite neighbours rallying round to help and a delivery of sandbags, nothing was able to stop the water pouring in.

Among those affected is Patricia Head.

She told the News & Star : "I'm devastated. The last time it took me a few years to get right. I didn't want to live in the house for a long time.

"I knew it was going to happen but nobody listened to us."

Patricia's neighbours were flooded about five years ago, but she narrowly missed any major damage. The last time she was badly hit was in 2005.

The 61-year-old, who has lived in the street for 25 years, believes the flooding has something to do with a storm drain behind the houses which is either blocked or has collapsed and is overwhelmed by rain off the fields.

She has told the authorities on a number of occasions and more so in the last year since Story Homes started to develop The Ridings.

"I'm really badly let down," Patricia added. "We told them it was going to happen again. They are not bothered. It's not their houses."

Patricia's daughters Catherine, 33, and Rachel, 25, went to put up her Christmas tree yesterday morning. They then went to Rachel's house, nearby, to put up some of her decorations.

"Next door came and said the house was flooded," said Catherine. "I opened the door and all the water was just running straight through the door as soon as I opened it.

"It was so easily preventable.

"She is just worried she is not going to get insured again."

The family rushed to take valuables upstairs but things like the washing machine, tumble dryer and oven had to be left in inches of water.

Forced to turn off her electricity, Patricia was left in darkness yesterday and it wasn't long before her property started to smell.

Social landlords, including Riverside, were arranging alternative accommodation for flood-hit residents and their pets.

Shelley Rabin, 47, who lives across the road, said: "I'm devastated because I have just done it all out. I don't know what I'm going to do now because nobody will insure me."

Her neighbour Michele Green, 40, (corr) said: "We have been flooded about four times. It's like a river when it does flood.

"When they open their doors the water has got nowhere to go."

She added that the neighbours were "brilliant", rallying round to help one another.

Ian Storey (corr) , managing director for Story Homes, said: “We are aware of the flooding which has affected some of the residents on Oakland’s Drive in Upperby during particularly high levels of rainfall.

"This is an extremely unfortunate event for all those affected and we are working closely with residents to alleviate the current situation.

“Whilst we cannot comment on the cause of the flood at this moment in time, we need to work with residents and stakeholders to determine the cause for this incident, and to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place for the future.”

Cumbrua County Council's flood officers are due to visit the site to investigate.

Council leader Stewart Young, who represents Upperby, is aware of the long-standing issue and the residents' concerns.

He ensured there was a planning condition for drainage added to the permission for a new access road behind the houses in Oaklands Drive.

"If effect, that would be the resolution to the problem," he said.

He said he has "every sympathy" for those affected.

"I feel for them. Because the land slopes, the water more or less comes in the back door and runs through the house," said Mr Young.

"For some of them it has been three, four or more times. It has always been bad.

"We will work with Story as well because we want to get a solution."