ONE-YEAR on from the worst floods to hit Darton in 40 years and many people are still feeling the after effects.

Residents are concerned about the commercial centre of the village which is only just showing signs of recovery, with some shops and businesses not able to reopen because of insurance difficulties.

The River Dearne burst its banks twice in June and again in January. Locals faced months of repairs and uncertainty about when they would be able to move back.

Some of the worst hit areas in town were in Darton and the high street was unrecognisable under swathes of gushing water. Fifty residential properties and more than 20 businesses were affected in the village and its surrounding areas.

Locals told the Chronicle Darton resembled a ghost town for months during the cleanup. Dawn Swithenbank and her family lived on Mill Lane, one of the worst hit residential areas in the village. Her home felt the full force of the floodwater. She told the Chronicle she understands residents' concerns about the risk of another deluge which is why she made the decision to move out in March.

She said:"I'd lived in Darton for nearly ten years when it happened. We were hit the first time and were still cleaning up the mess from that when we were hit a second time just days later. We were in temporary accommodation so long it was unbearable.

"Then when the river breached its banks again in January i decided enough was enough and as soon as the builders had finished repairs, ten months after it happened, i put the house up for sale.

"We just couldn't cope with the threat of flooding anymore, and knowing there are no plans for a defence wall or anything like that i had no choice but to move."