By Iwan Davies BBC Wales News Online

The damage to the couple's house runs into thousands of pounds

As the flow from the outside increased, she used bathroom towels in a vain attempt to hold it back.

But it was not long before the trickle of dark and dirty water besieging her riverside home in Llanrwst, north Wales, became a flood.

Now Mrs Churchward and her husband Cliff, both 51, are among the victims of the flooding which has swept through the Conwy town.

By late on Tuesday, their two-storey home in Bridge Street, just yards from the River Conwy, was one of the worst affected homes.

It was very sad to see the songs I have written over the years floating about in the water Cliff Churchward

Neighbours have not stopped calling at their door to bring sympathy and offers of help.

The couple were stunned at the devastation caused by the sewage-laden water which at its height was 10 inches deep in the living room of the home they bought just 18 months ago.

Mrs Churchward is still shocked at the speed of the deluge.

'Scary'

She said: "It was all very scary - at first I thought I could stop it but it just kept coming through the front door.

"My daughter helped me to mop it back and we used towels but it just kept gurgling through, it was incredible.

"I knew we couldn't do anything to stop it - we were really scared and the electrics were still on."

In addition to their wrecked carpets and damaged furniture, Mr Churchward has lost some of his much-prized musical equipment, including guitars and an amplifier.

The house was flooded by river and sewage water

He said: "I was in a band and it was very sad to see the songs I have written over the years floating about in the water - songs I had jotted down in pencil."

He is trying to be philosophical about their loss, even though the house had been refurbished just in time for last Christmas.

But they have found that this crisis has helped to bring out the best in their neighbours.

He said: "The people of the town have been absolutely brilliant with all their offers of help. We've had so many calls."