Flooding in Fisherton Street last Monday. DA4483P1TORRENTIAL rain brought misery to traders in Fisherton Street last week, as blocked drains forced flood water over pavements and into shops.

Among the worst hit was Chain Reaction, which had water pouring in before proprietor Marisha White and her staff could get protective sandbags around the front of the shop.

She said: "We feel as if we are in business under siege - it is horrendous.

"We always take a pride in the appearance of our shop and it is heartbreaking to see it now with the windows covered in mud splashes, the paintwork ruined and the floors wet."

A large pool of water covered half of Fisherton Street near Chain Reaction and Nu-Clean Services throughout Monday, making the pavement impassable.

Proprietor of Nu-Clean Lance Foord said the flood water started on Friday and built up over the weekend. Monday's heavy rain caused major problems for traders, as water steadily rose closer to their shops, stopping customers from reaching them.

Traffic was severely delayed on Monday morning in Castle Road, after part of the road flooded near the Castle Road roundabout.

Police coned off the flooded section, forcing rush-hour traffic to use one lane.

Meanwhile, a group of local agencies formed to tackle the flooding problems in south Wiltshire is to continue.

The Salisbury District Flood Steering group was formed in February this year, following a pledge from district council leader Kevin Wren on tackling the flooding problems of the area.

Over the past nine months, the group has drawn up a detailed map showing the main areas of flooding in south Wiltshire.

Four priority areas have been identified - the Bourne Valley, the Upper Till, Tisbury and Pitton.

Other priority areas to be investigated are Teffont and Hanging Langford with Wylye.

A schedule of planned work is now in place for priority areas, with some funding from the council.

Mr Wren said: "The amount of work that has gone on has been quite substantial.

"We have to remember that Salisbury district council does not have a statutory responsibility for flooding.

"Our role has been to co-ordinate all the agencies to work together on this very important issue, which has been achieved."