A GROUP of seven people were rescued from a hair salon on Thursday evening as flooding caused by a burst water main rose to one metre deep in places.

Love Hair Design at Botley Mills, Mill Hill had been only re-opened six weeks ago in line with lockdown rules before the flood which caused “considerable damage” to the area.

Owner of the salon, Georgia Bushell, 27, described the scene of the group of five staff members and two customers - some with foils still in their hair - climbing out of the window into a rescue dinghy as both “surreal” and “hilarious.”

She said: “ It was so quick. I looked outside and saw this heavy flow of water coming down into the car park and within twenty minutes it was flooding into the salon and had gone up to the height of a car door handle [outside.]”

Four clients were in the salon at the time and two jumped out of the window into the hip-deep pool to save their cars from the rising water.

Daily Echo: Botley Mills flooding

Ms Bushell who has owned the salon for three years, added: “I was a little panicked but tried to keep calm for the customers.”

Having returned yesterday to clear the water, which was just over shoe level, she said that she hoped to re-open today (May 22) despite damage to the floor, wooden furniture and at the loss of bookings.

On her outlook she said: “There’s people far worse off. We tried to see the funny side.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) were called to the incident at 17:46.

Station Manager Phil Foxton said: ‘Thank you to [South Central Ambulance Services’ Hazardous Area Response Team] for their support in the rescue and thank you also to the owner of the hairdresser and Botley Mills staff who worked to divert the water into the nearby river.’

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by work on the A334 at Botley.

“A very large,15-inch water main burst overnight. By re-routing water around our network we managed to keep all customers in supply.

“We have now made a repair and are recharging the main, however due to the size of the main, there has been considerable damage and it could take until late next week before repairs and reinstatement are complete.

“We will keep customers updated on our social media streams.”

The A334 was closed on Thursday between Winchester Street and the A3051.