REPORTS of flooding in Scarborough and Filey remind us of our experience of the deluge in 2000 when we had 2ft of water in our home. We were out of it for seven months.

Then there was the listing of ruined possessions and dealing with the loss adjuster. When the place had finally dried out and the walls had been re-plastered we could move back in. It still took another year before we had replaced the last item of furniture. Our home had been flooded three times before, but we cannot bear the thought of repeating the 2000 experience.

Now we think of the terrible floods in Europe and how long it will take them to get back to normal - if they ever do.

F Mann and Mrs J E Mann,

Vine Cottages,

Pump Alley,

Bolton Percy, York.

Updated: 10:00 Friday, August 30, 2002