A COMMUNITY-minded farm machinery manager agreed floodwater could be diverted through his premises to save nearby homes.

Families in Wickham had their homes saved from flood damage due to the generosity of the manager at William Wheatley Ltd.

Ted Wheatley, said the workshop could be sacrificed in order to prevent further disruption and damage from the River Meon.

The Meon burst its banks due to heavy rain and overflowed on to Wickham Water Meadows public recreation and conservation area.

Torrents of water poured across Fareham Road into the premises of William Wheatley Ltd, flooding the workshop and the parking and storage area as well as the adjoining Forge garage and disrupting traffic.

The police, fire service and the Environmental Agency agreed the priority was to save houses on Tanfield Lane.

They asked Mr Wheatley if floodwater could be directed through his business.

The emergency services sandbagged the water meadows verge alongside Fareham Road, to channel water into the premises.

Mr Wheatley said: "This business has been here many years and this is the first time this has happened. But it's not a disaster and we're still trading. The farmers need us more than ever in bad weather to keep their machines going.''

Firm finance director Brian Longland said: "We agreed to the fire service and Environment Age-ncy using us a flood relief valve.

"The workshop was under several inches of water and our staff were still repairing machines and vehicles, but the water was still rising, so we said we might as well abandon it and help the people in the houses at the back here.''

Farmers who rely on William Wheatley Ltd to mend broken tractors and machinery on farms and to replace spare parts will be hard hit by the reduction in service.

Environment Agency flood defence officer John Young said the underground water table was much higher - only one metre below the surface - and the Meon was three feet higher than normal for December.

The company was clearing up today as the floodwater receded, leaving tonnes of mud and silt in its workshop and car park.