FLOOD victims who have been warned they will not be able to return to their homes for a year are setting up a caravan park in their cul-de-sac.

Three feet of water rushed through all 25 properties in Riverside Gardens, Bolton-upon-Dearne when the River Dearne burst over the bridge and washed up Mexborough Road two weeks ago.

“We’ve been told it could be ten to 12 months before we’ll be able to move back in so I’ve bought a little caravan and parked it on the drive,” said Graham Burton, 40, who was the third person to move in when the houses were built ten years ago.

“We’re all trying to keep our spirits up and everyone is going to get a caravan so that we can stay here.”

The water came about 15 inches up the inside wall of his house and flooded the foundations. All the furniture and belongings on the ground floor were contaminated. They have been thrown out and the floors ripped up.

“The water didn’t come through from the river side, but came up the road and rushed through the house from the front. The force of water was unbelievable, but by 4.30am next day it had all gone.”

Mr Burton’s home is the first one to be stripped and each one will have to go through the same procedure and be fully refurbished after decontamination.