A couple whose home was swamped with water have thanked the community who rallied round to help.

Mark and Elaine White watched in horror as water gushed into their Egremont home, causing a trail of devastation.

But out of all of the heartache, they say the way people living nearby, along with members of the emergency services, pulled together to help made a massive impact.

"We just want to thank everyone who helped," said Mark. "Once we started flooding, the first to respond was Egremont retained fire crew.

"They were very worried about Elaine when they arrived as she was having an asthma attack. They helped her, then tried to do everything they could to help us get all our precious items upstairs."

Neighbours and local farmers then rushed to help in any way they could.

"The local community just turned up," said Mark. "Once Elaine phoned a friend, more people started to come. The message went out and everybody was here to help."

It took two fire engines and a farmer with a tractor to pump the water out of their home, Mill Cottage.

When they first heard the flood alert last Wednesday, Mark said he thought his own flood defences would hold.

"We had all of our pumps on and Elaine started moving things upstairs," he said. "Then all of a sudden it was like somebody had turned the tap on and the river rose dramatically – it was like somebody had opened a flood gate."

The water gushed into the house, even coming in through the walls and floor.

As the cottage sits on the side of the River Ehen, there are a number of flood defences in place.

"The water was that powerful, it's damaged our flood wall so we've got to get that replaced. So we are defenceless at the moment," said Mark.

The couple think they'll be out of their home between six months and a year.

But they say the support they've been given following the flood, has also been remarkable.

They, along with their three dogs, are staying at a friends house and they've also managed to rent a property opposite their home.