NEWSAGENT Gary Dipple has launched a fund to help victims of flooding in Weymouth.

The appeal comes after householders at Southill woke to find floodwater pouring into their homes on December 13.

It caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to such household items as carpets, fittings, televisions and Christmas presents.

Mr Dipple, 54, who runs Tidings newsagents at Southill, said he was lucky to escape with just a few inches of floodwater in his premises.

He added: “We suffered very little loss but some people fared really badly and woke up to find the ground floor of their home under water.

“It has dawned on me that they can use all the help they can get.

“It is bad enough for this sort of thing to happen at any time of year but it is particularly bad at Christmas.

“So I’ve decided to launch a fund which will be split up among the flood victims of Rowan Close who were among the worst affected.

“I’m really doing this to help the children at Christmas because they have literally seen some of their presents float away.

“Hopefully we can raise some money to make their Christmas a little bit brighter.”

A total of 18 houses in Rowan Close were affected by the floodwater caused by an early morning rainstorm which some firefighters said was the heaviest they had ever seen.

Dozens of people had to be evacuated including several elderly and disabled residents who faced treacherous and slippery conditions which lifted floorboards in their homes, ruining kitchens and living rooms with several feet of floodwater.

Some children were rescued by firefighters through windows, and vehicles were left up to their engines in floodwater.

Shops in Radipole Lane were also flooded when a river burst its banks and swept across the road.

Conditions were so bad that firefighters brought in a special high volume pump from Christchurch to help pump floodwater away from the worst affected areas.

The pump was also used to help homes threatened with flooding which were then protected with sandbags.