In July 2007, Evesham had its heaviest rainfall for 200 years – reaching more than 320 per cent of the average for the time of year and causing the worst flooding in its recorded history.

The heavy rain saw the River Avon in Evesham reach its highest recorded level on record, peaking at 5.52 metres on July 21, about five metres above normal summer levels.

Around 330 houses in the area flooded including many in Port Street, Waterside, Fairfield Road and in Hampton.

Guests at Northwick Hotel, in Waterside, had to remain on the upper floors of the hotel.

Similarly, Pershore College reported 252.4mm of rain, making it the wettest month on its records.

At St Barnabas CE School in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, 35 children were trapped after a school coach was cancelled.

Children from Pinvin First School were also stranded and around 120 homes in Pershore were flooded in total.

Emergency rest centres were set up in Pershore and Evesham by Wychavon District Council for people caught out by the conditions. Cllr Emma Stokes, responsible for environment and street scene, said: “Since the devastating floods of 2007, we have been working hard to ensure residents and businesses are better protected from flooding.

“By working together we believe our district is now in a better position to cope with flooding.

“We will never forget the huge impact those floods had on our communities.”

Free parking was introduced by Wychavon District Council to help flooded businesses and the Journal backed a Red Cross campaign to raise money for those affected by the floods.

The New Inn in Cropthorne started taking in residents as they could not go any further and locals turned out in force, helping behind the bar, collecting and washing glasses.

They also fetched water from the local swimming pool when the water supply failed.

In Chipping Campden, the town hall opened as a staging post for refreshments and shelter and the school opened as a rest centre.

The only two people remaining at the school on Friday evening were given a bed for the night by a local volunteer.

Around 30 others were assisted by the emergency services to find accommodation with friends, neighbours and pubs as the community pulled together.

In Moreton, 256 people went to the fire college and were given a bed for the night and guests staying at the flooded Manor House Hotel and the White Hart Royal had been moved to the Redesdale Arms, also in Moreton, where many local residents made homeless by the floods were also staying.