'Our cafe lost thousands from a four-hour flood'

Communities have been pulling together after flooding that continues to cause damage and disruption in Dorset.

In Charminster, near Dorchester, about 20 villagers responded to pleas to help clean up St Mary's church after water rose up through the floor.

Its rector, the Reverend Leila Mather, also became an informal taxi service, offering piggybacks to school children trying to cross the submerged road.

But while there has been plenty of community spirit and camaraderie, the flooding has left many property and business owners facing an uncertain future.

The Palm House café at Radipole Lake was among the worst affected properties in Weymouth.

Nigel Sims-Duff said customers and members of Weymouth Climate Hub helped him mop up and bail out water on Tuesday, until it became "futile".

He said: "It was very worrying. Some of my customers started to help with mopping up, but pretty soon we were facing a losing battle and there was no way of stopping it coming in... and we needed to evacuate.

He said the café could not get flood insurance because of its position so its losses would be "multiple thousands, just from a four-hour flood".

"Even just six inches of water is enough to damage surface coverings, trip electrics, affect units and furniture. You've got loss of trade, loss of stock, fresh food - that sort of thing," he said.

In Charminster, Mathers said she was alerted to the rising water on Monday night by a man who had been staying in the church.

She said: "On Tuesday we found the whole church about two inches deep with water, all from the ground.

"We are so very grateful to those who came to our aid, particularly as there are so many homes in Charminster and throughout our benefice that are also under water."

When the local school took the decision to close on Tuesday lunchtime, Mathers stepped in to help get the children home.

"Many of the parents had to leave their cars and walk," explained Mathers".

"So I helped them to carry children who weren't wearing waterproof footwear."

Many businesses in Blandford's East Street have remained closed for a third day after flood water made its way into buildings.

Cotton Moon fabric shop owner Marian Howells said she had been unable to get into the premises on Wednesday because the water remained too high.

In a Facebook post, she said: "We did everything we could to protect the shop, but sadly the water has got in.

"My lovely shop neighbour helped me move everything we could to higher areas, even storing some in her shop on tables."

At the Kingston Lacy estate near Wimborne, livestock ranger Ben Gruitt moved some of the estate's rare breed Portland sheep after the river Stour burst its banks.

The trust said the most affected areas of the 8,500-acre estate were at Eye Bridge, Shapwick and White Mill and, with more rain expected, the water was expected to remain high.