A MASSIVE clear-up operation is under way this week after torrential rain wreaked havoc across the borough.

More than two inches of rain fell in less than an hour on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were on "red alert" and nowhere escaped the freak weather which, within half-an-hour, turned roads in Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom and Tottington into rivers, and flooded houses and businesses.

At the height of the flooding five fire engines were deployed to Ramsbottom and Tottington.

Worst-hit in Bury was Holme Avenue, Brandlesholme, where the flood water was at least 18 inches deep after the drains failed to cope with the heavy rainfall. The road was impassable and cars had to be abandoned on near-by streets. Dirty water complete with sewage seeped into nearby houses.

Mrs Irene Roughley, of Holme Avenue, said: "We have had three floods here this year already, but never this bad. The drains were only repaired four weeks ago and we were told it would not happen again.

"The worst thing is that when the sewage is left, the smell afterwards is terrible.

"There were tampons and all sorts left in our gardens after the water had gone. It was horrible."

Her husband Eric (pictured) put on a brave face, however, when he posed for our photographer!

In Ramsbottom part of the surface on Walmersley Road was raised nearly a foot by the pressure of the water.

Crow Lane in Ramsbottom and Scobell Street in Tottington had to be closed and traffic diverted. Fire crews worked for more than six hours pumping out the water in Crow Lane, but they could not stop it from getting into three houses and several businesses flooding the ground floor.

Sandbags could not prevent gushing water coming off a school playing field and flooding houses on nearby Bolton Road West.

Radcliffe businesses were washed out when flash-floods hit parts of the town. Water Street was covered in 18 inches of water.

Companies were powerless to stop water gushing into their premises causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage. Staff were stranded inside the shops for about 20 minutes until the floods subsided.

Leslie Philip Good Theatrical Costumier has been forced to close for refurbishments.

But owner Mr Leslie Good said defiantly: "We will be back and be bigger and better.

"At one point the water must have reached about three-feet deep."

He added: "The costumes need special attention and cannot just simply be replaced because they have been worn by celebrities.

"Although the shop has had to be closed we are working round the clock to ensure all our orders are met."

The cellar at The Colliers Arms, Water Street, was flooded - the fourth time in less than three months.

"The barrels were floating in the water," said landlord Mr Lee Bower who is back open for business.

"The water was so deep outside you could have gone canoeing on the road!." Mr Bower added: "It is ridiculous that the roads cannot withstand the rain."

Ainsworth Road in Radcliffe was also affected.

Three units at the Bradley Fold Industrial Estate were flooded and a fire crew spent around an hour at the scene to clear away water.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.