THEY opened their home to those fighting the rising water in a city centre street.

Now Jackie and Andy Dyble have been hailed heroes for their support for Winchester’s firefighters.

Jackie, 59, and Andy, 57, were nominated by Winchester fire station manager Alex Rhodes after offering their house to be used as a base while firefighters drew up plans to erect the giant metal barrier in Park Avenue.

The barriers were put into place in an attempt to hold back the water from the city after the River Itchen burst its banks.

Mrs Dyble said: “We were talking to one of the firemen who was on his phone all the time and we just let them set up base here in our house. Better they be indoors with all that rain.

“All we did was let them use our house and make them tea and toast. They’re the real heroes. We did what anyone would do.”

The couple made endless cups of tea and coffee and fed the Hampshire and Isle of Wight firemen, who worked 24 hours a day over nearly six days to pump the excess water from Park Avenue.

Mr Rhodes said: “They never questioned it or thought it was really inconvenient and were really happy to help. They are just a really nice, happy and grateful couple.”