Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

I'd arrived on the Ashchurch road at 6am to find stranded cars and the road shut around half a mile before the town centre.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gloucestershire's Chris Brierley

After speaking to a few locals I found out there was only route into the town ...the former railway line which is now a pathway.

Walking into Tewkesbury by the old Railway line was an odd experience at 7am in the morning - it was busy for starters!

There was plenty of mud around but no flood water - although I was heavily prepared with both waders and waterproofs.

Along the way I met a number of people. Many have lived in the town since birth and offered the same comment that this was "the worst since the 1947 flood!".

One of the people I met was the Canon of the town - Paul Williams - who I met outside the abbey.

He told me how the spirit was high in the town and how last night they had a curry night and folk music was played outside the abbey!

Then I made my way to one rest centre - a scout hut.

There I found eggs and bacon on the go by Beaver Scout leader - Eddie Mills.

One women who has benefited from the hospitality is Sophie from Mitten, unable to get home.

To keep her occupied she's been given a copy of the latest Harry Potter Book!

Then I dashed to Church Street - one of the town's main streets - that still had 5 feet of water.

As I stood and looked up I noticed that I was being watched by local residents sheltering in their homes.

Obviously spirits were high as during a live chat with John Rockley on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Gloucestershire midmorning programme they even managed to put me off!

That was it - job done.

Time to pull my waders up and set off on the long walk back to the car waiting for me on the Ashchurch road.