THE owners of a pub which sits on the banks of the river Avon in Fordingbridge have said the river levels are "the worst they have seen" due to Storm Ciarán. 

The George Inn, on Bridge Street, is owned by Caroline and James Roylance. 

In October, the owners told the Daily Echo's sister paper, the Salisbury Journal, it had lost thousands of pounds as a result of severe power cuts. 

The concern is that the floods may lead to a loss of more trade. 

Today, (Thursday, November 2) Caroline said: "We are ok but the river is the worst we have seen and still rising. It will keep going up overnight. It has already flooded out into the recreation ground.

"This is very high. This is the type of weather we might expect in January."

Bournemouth Echo: Railway Hotel, FordingbridgeRailway Hotel, Fordingbridge (Image: Newsquest)

The Railway Hotel, also in Fordingbridge, had to close early this afternoon because of the impact of the storm. 

It posted the closure news on its Facebook page and apologised for the decision but said "the safety and well-being of our staff and customers are our utmost priorities and with the hazardous travel conditions, we feel this is the safest decision".

Read more: Roads in Fordingbridge completely flooded

Front of house for the hotel, on Station Road, Abbey Sultan, 18, said: “In places in Fordingbridge, water is up to the knees, there are branches which have come off trees and lots of debris on the roads.

“We are ok. The floods haven’t affected the pub, but we had some cancellations due to the storm and thought safety should come first.

She added: “Some traffic is being redirected in Fordingbridge. In fact, my brother got caught out this morning when driving and didn’t realise the water was so deep and had to leave his car. Not even the AA can get out.”

The Railway Hotel is hoping that the flood water will start to reduce significantly. 

Read more: Bower Road Fordingbridge flooded

Town resident Neil Early said: "Bowerwood Road is heavily flooded making it difficult to reach Alderholt. It will get worse before it gets better as water flows from Salisbury through Downton to Fordingbridge down the Avon. Some homes are affected. 

Neil works for Elliot Brothers Builders Merchant and said: "We have sold around 400 sandbags to customers in and around Fordingbridge." 

Fordingbridge Town Council show Bowerwood Road in the town completely submerged in water and the council has asked people to avoid the road and there are reports of broken down vehicles on the bridge by the Three Lions Pub.