STORM and flood-hit families were returning to normal this week after what for many was a cold and miserable Christmas, thanks to the extraordinary winds and prolonged torrential rainfall of last Monday and Tuesday.

Elstead and Tilford were the areas worst hit, as two inches of rain in 24 hours caused the River Wey to flood beyond the extent of most people's memories and countless trees and branches fell across roads and power cables.

Flood damage at Elstead Mill was so severe that the bar and restaurant will be closed until the end of January. The majority of Elstead was without power throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with many villagers not reconnected until late on Boxing Day.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.