A RIBBLE Valley business left “devastated” after water wiped out £70,000 worth of stock has been hit by more flooding.

Read Garden Centre was under four feet of water on Boxing Day as flood water affected large parts of the borough And more water flooded the business on Sunday night as the drains struggled to cope with torrential rain.

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The firm, which was set up by Susan and Gary Procter two years ago, has partially reopened for business despite the wide-spread damage.

Family friend Jackie Laxton, who also runs a jewellery stand at the garden centre, said: “It’s a devastating blow for the business but we are determined not to let it ruin it.

“The owners are very upset about it all as it has been a real labour of love.

“They have built this business up from nothing and it’s devastating to see it now in this state.

“Around £70,000-worth of stock has been ruined.

“That now can’t be done, so this flood damage really is going to affect the business for some time to come.

“We managed to save some of the gravel but we lost things like compost and it’s going to be a long time until we are back to where we were before Boxing Day.”

After a plea on Facebook, around 30 volunteers went to the Old Coal Staithe centre had helped clear up and repair some of the damage.

In the aftermath of the flooding damage in the Ribble Valley, Whalley and District Lions are bidding to raise £2,500 for those who have been most affected.

The fundraising campaign has so far been backed by more than 20 people and seen £410 collected for the flood victims in the area.

Lions president Gillan Darbyshire said: “I would just like to say I have witnessed so much human kindness and devotion this week from the Whalley and Billington residents and people on a much wider scale.

“It is truly an inspiration.”