EAST Durham council workers who manned pumps round the clock to keep flood waters at bay have been given an official pat on the back.

On two occasions earlier this year several properties in Wingate were flooded, leaving residents and business owners with the headache of cleaning-up and the worry of more to come.

When the weather took a turn for the worse at the beginning of this month, people living in the village braced themselves for further damage and disruption.

With flood waters rising, District of Easington council workers sprung into action.

Over a 24-hour period, the workers manned two pumps and their swift action prevented homes and shops in Market Crescent from being engulfed.

Now District of Easington cabinet portfolio holder for public services and Wingate councillor Arthur Nevens has praised all those who worked round the clock.

He said: "I wish to express my thanks to everyone for their hard work during the severe weather conditions which threatened the properties of Market Crescent and Wingate's main street.

"Due to their efforts, we once again managed to avert full scale flooding in certain properties and helped to relieve tenants' anxieties."