STORIES of heroism and generosity were commonplace in Ledbury as residents did their best to cope.

For many stuck in the floods, the town centre provided a welcome resting point, with more than 120 sleeping in the Feathers Hotel and other hostelries.

But most of the 500 refugees found shelter at the community centre, where 200 people sought refuge over a 24-hour period.

It was a familiar sight for caretakers John and Enid Meredith, who also opened the centre as a refuge during the 1998 floods.

"It only took 15 minutes before the first people came in," he said.

"We had blankets for all the people who had been absolutely soaked, but a lot of women were distraught, having climbed out of their car windows.

"We were there from 5pm until 7am the next morning, but we've done it before and we'll do it again if we have to."

Town councillor Andy Bullock also stayed the night and gave special praise to Rob Chappell and Darren Emery. The Ross-on-Wye Community Support Officers worked from 7pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday rescuing people in Ledbury and Much Marcle.

The pair drove back and forth in their 4x4 to pick up 35 people trapped near Much Marcle garage, before going on to Ledbury Rugby Club to help two paramedics.

But their most dramatic rescue came when they picked up three people sitting on the roof of their car on the outskirts of Ledbury.

Coun Bullock also thanked the Ledbury public for an "incredible" response to an appeal for blankets. "We even had one guy who travelled through the town and gave £300 worth of food," added the councillor.

According to Sgt Emma Wright, getting in or out of the town "was an impossibility", and the force of the water took many by surprise.

The Warren family, from Bishops Frome, expected heavy rain but had to take refuge upstairs after four feet of water flooded into the house.

"We knew it was forecast but the height and ferocity of the water was unexpected," said Mrs Warren. "The force was such that the summer house in our garden was facing a different direction when it was all over."

In Bosbury, staff at the Bell Inn spent the weekend clearing 30 tonnes of water from their cellar, while a tractor rescued a family marooned on a verge and brought them to Ledbury.