28597/1HEAVY downpours caused flood misery for residents in Trowbridge as a band of violent storms swept through the county.

Wiltshire Fire Brigade fielded 60 calls in a four-hour period on Monday night, as storms brought misery for residents and motorists across the county.

In Trowbridge, floodwater poured into homes in Heathershaw, left motorists stranded in Dursley Road and seeped into The Shires shopping precinct as drains failed to cope with the deluge.

Rob Goozee, 29, was left cleaning up after a foot of water cascaded into his home.

Blaming poor drainage for the flooding, Mr Goozee said he is facing a four-figure repair bill to replace damaged furniture, and is furious with staff at Jefferson Housing Association for failing to solve long-running problems.

"The water was coming over the top of my wall and into my garden. I came home to find a foot of water running through my house," he said.

"I have only been here for six months and have just finished the house and then this happens.

"Every time it rains we get some floodwater in the back garden as there is no proper drainage. This is the worst it has been.

"When I rang the housing association's emergency line they told us to live upstairs."

Neighbour Martinne Meehan, 36, described the scene as a nearby stream burst its banks.

"I had Niagara Falls coming down my garden and filling up my terrace," she said.

"I took my children to a friend's house as they were getting hysterical.

"The water started coming into my house and I managed to stop it getting into my son's room.

"All my carpet is ruined and my neighbour's conservatory was completely flooded."

Roger Greening, housing association director, said the issue of drainage would be looked at.

"We will look into whether or not there is a problem with the drainage or whether it was just a freak storm," he said.

Motorists were stranded in Dursley Road when more than a foot of water flooded the street.

Up to eight cars broke down in the floods with residents stepping in to help marooned motorists.

Onlooker Lesley Tucker, who has lived in the street for 40 years, said: "It must have been at least 18-inches high. I have never seen it worse than this, except maybe before the Second World War."

Neighbour Ali Davies, 28, said: "The cars were all stalling and one guy was in his shorts and t-shirt pushing them all out. The road was impassable."

Six shops in The Shires shopping precinct were damaged when floodwater spilled under glass doors.

The Early Learning Centre, Claire's Accessories, Clinton Cards and Revert were among the stores affected.

Steve Murray, precinct manager, said: "The drains were not up to coping with the excessive amount of rain, it was as simple as that.

"There was water down one length of the mall. Luckily there was no stock damage.

"It is lucky it was a short, sharp shower as if it had kept on coming down things could have been a lot worse."