Flooded offices in Walton-le-Dale

Walton-le-Dale businesses have begun counting the cost of flooding on their premises.

Freight business Freightlink in Chorley Road were flooded during Boxing Day.

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Around seven inches of flood water got into their offices and has caused widespread damage to electrical equipment and their servers.

Their offices are just 10 metres from the River Darwen which turned into a raging torrent after days of heavy rain.

Stewart Thompson, who works for the firm, said: “We’ve been in and thankfully the water has receded.

“Had more come in then everything would have been destroyed.

“We’re only a small business so it is fortunate the water left.”

Related: Flooding in Preston and everything you need to know to deal with it

He said insurance firms had advised him to begin clearing up himself as clean up companies are overrun with calls.

Mr Thompson estimates the damage caused by the flooding will cost in the region of £20,000.

Across the road and Italian restaurant Pinocchios was forced to close after water entered the premises.

Pinocchios restaurant in Chorley Road Pic: Louise Hogg

It is the second time in a fortnight the restaurant has flooded after its kitchen was flooded before Christmas.

While river levels on the Darwen and Ribble fell away on Sunday morning there is now a warning of heavy rain from the early hours of Wednesday and more flooding is possible.