PART of the main road running through St Mary Bourne became a river last week as high winds and torrential rain battered the area.

Thursday morning saw villagers turning out in wellington boots to negotiate the road but the homes themselves escaped flooding.

A resident said it didn't happen regularly. It was only a problem in exceptional weather conditions when water ran off other roads and settled in the main road where the drainage system was unable to cope.

Although homes weren't inundated, the main problem was caused by cars and vans travelling too quickly through the water despite a hastily rigged sign suggesting a speed limit of 2mph.

The traffic caused bow waves which splashed up onto the houses so residents deployed sand bags to protect their homes.

Drains in the village were cleared out after the flood in an attempt to ease the situation for future downpours.

The junction of Harrow Way and the B3048 near St Mary Bourne was also flooded as water poured down a nearby track and onto the road system.