TORRENTIAL rain caused flooding to homes in Tudhoe Colliery and Spennymoor on Sunday.

Attwood Terrace in Spennymoor and around 20 houses in Front Street, Tudhoe Colliery, were affected. One house in Front Street has been flooded four times in two years.

Six of the Tudhoe Colliery houses were recently sold by Sedgefield Borough Council.

First-time buyer Emma Nelson was going to move into her new home this month, but sewage water swept through her house. She said: "We had just put down laminate flooring in the living room and I watched it lift and float out my door.

"After I bought it, I found out through friends that there was a risk of flooding. I rang the estate agents and they told me there had been a problem in the past, but it was all sorted out."

Tudhoe Colliery resident Gordon McMillen said: "Thankfully my home is okay but I've been helping others bail out the water and sludge. No one can believe this is happening again."

A spokeswoman for Northumbrian Water said the downpour had led to a blockage in a sewer in Tudhoe. "We deeply regret the incident. All the residents affected will be given a rebate on their sewerage charges."

On Monday the company sent experts to inspect the sewer and a clean-up team to help residents.