PENSIONERS were forced to flee their bungalows when their estate flooded for the second time this week.

The ten people evacuated on Thursday evening were led to the safety of the community centre near their homes at Hargill Haven, Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham. Among them was 97-year-old Dolly Scott.

By 7.45pm, an hour after they fled, Howden Beck burst its banks and was soon gushing between Foxcovert Grove and making its way towards the green between Northburn Grove and Southburn Grove.

Craig Douglas, area housing officer at Wear Valley District Council, was at the scene.

He said the water had seeped into some utility rooms in Foxcovert Grove and one hallway, but most residents had kept the flood water at bay with piles of sandbags.

"The water rose and flowed until about 9.30pm, and from then it started to go down," he said.

"By 11.45pm there was no water at all spilling out of the beck. It was all going through the culvert."

The evacuees were given the all-clear to return to their homes by 11pm.

Betty Woods, Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, said: "The senior citizens coped very well.

"It was a bit better organised this time because they were used to it more.

"Everyone pulled together and the young people who helped were marvellous."