A WOMAN who was plagued with floods which ‘ruined her life’ has voiced her anger at the council’s decision to award grants to more recent flood victims.

Joanne Hurst, who lives in Middlewich, was the victim of five floods throughout 2007 and 2008 while living on Booth Lane and despite launching a campaign with other residents, she did not receive any grant.

Cheshire East Council has now announced that it will be giving out grants of up to £5,000 to residents who were hit by floods between April 1, 2013, and November 30, 2013.

But Joanne said there were no grants being offered when it was a real problem in the town. 

Joanne said: “It was constantly flooding for years on Booth Lane and Cross Lane and we were flooded badly five times. 

“It was ruining my life. We lost belongings and furniture but as well as that it’s the whole effect it has on your life. I had to take unpaid leave while we got work done to the house, and one time we had to be moved out and live in Sandbach for six months.

“We didn’t get any grants or anything like that then. But United Utilities sorted it out after we campaigned and there isn’t a problem anymore. So they’re happy to give out grants for 2013 because nobody was flooded then.”

The grants being offered to homes are businesses are to install equipment to safeguard their properties from future flooding. 

If you think you were a victim of flood damage during the period in 2013, email floodgrantce@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call 01244 973869. Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2015.