WEAR VALLEY braced itself for the worst as floods threatened homes across the district this week for the second time this year.

As severe flood warnings were issued for the River Gaunless, more than 6,000 sandbags were issued and a school was converted into an evacuation centre for people in South Church.

On Tuesday morning, Dene Beck flooded homes in Eldon Lane.

Sarah Hope had already been hit when the beck burst its banks this summer. She said: "The water's up to my windows now. I've just tried to roll my carpets back - I've only had them two weeks. Last time everything downstairs was flooded. I'm just trying to stop it coming in but it's seeping through everywhere."

June Pull had the same story. Her home in West Auckland had been flooded in summer, but by midday on Tuesday she could only stand by helplessly as the waters reached the path in front of her house.

She said: "The water's about three inches from my neighbour's home and she's just had her carpets fitted.

"I've emptied all my cupboards now and my new suite is upstairs. I'm supposed to be having new carpets delivered."

Residents of South Church watched fearfully as the river that deluged their homes six-months-ago flowed within yards of their back doors.

Many were advised to evacuate their homes and move to a crisis centre set up at King James Community College in Bishop Auckland.

One woman whose home is yards from the river said she would not leave her home for fear of looters.

"You daren't leave your homes. If the water comes in we'll go upstairs. I've just had my new carpets a fortnight. The majority of us here want to move. Every time it rains we're scared it's going to happen again."

Ali Shakir and his family have been busy ensuring their shop's stock wouldn't be destroyed if the property was flooded. They have spent the last 20 weeks since the last floods trying to repair the store, which has been open for just over a week.

Wear Valley District Council director of finance Eddie Scrivens said the disappearance of sandbags was causing concern.

Mr Scrivens said: "They are being removed from places where we've put them to protect homes. I would ask people not to pinch them and if they need sandbags, to make a request and we will respond."

Surface water and flooding on roads made driving treacherous and many routes were closed.

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster said he was in constant talks with the Environment Agency and would be speaking with Government ministers.

Mr Foster said: "It's a horrendous experience for people in South Church and West Auckland. I will certainly press on ministers that urgent action needs to be taken."