Selby flood victims said today they were "gobsmacked" after homes they thought might be unsellable were "selling like hot cakes."

Houses on the new Wainhomes estate at Barlby were submerged by several feet of water when the River Ouse overtopped flood banks last November.

Residents - some of whom have only just moved back in after extensive renovation work - feared they would never be able to sell their homes after estate agents said they were now "unknown quantities."

But now stunned residents say Barlby has become the most-sought after area in Selby.

One delighted couple told today how they had just sold their three-bedroom semi-detached for £10,000 more than they had paid for it.

The York-bound couple, who did not want to be named, said they put their house up for sale last September, but were forced to take it off the market when it was hit by the floods.

They said: "We put it up for sale again three weeks ago and sold it in less than a week."

The couple, who lived in upstairs rooms for six months while repairs were completed, said they were very surprised and relieved their home had sold so quickly, with no significant effect on the asking price.

They added: "We feared at one time it would be unsellable, but it appears that confidence has re-emerged among potential buyers after the flood defences at Barlby were strengthened.

"Some buyers also see last autumn's floods as a one-off."

Rosalind Amor, former spokeswoman for Barlby Action Group who lives on the Wainhomes estate, said houses were now selling like hot cakes.

She said: "I'm gobsmacked. The flooding doesn't seem to have put off lenders and solicitors now the houses are like new again.

"My next-door neighbour sold her house within three days. Another house was also snapped up and then fell through, but the couple re-sold it within 48 hours and got the asking price."

Mrs Amor added: "Some of us thought we were stuck here forever in homes we couldn't sell, and then we were told their value had dropped by more than 30 per cent, leaving us in a negative equity situation.

"Now we're told Barlby, along with Leeds Road, is the most sought-after area in Selby. It's highly ironic but marvellous."

Updated: 14:08 Friday, October 05, 2001