CHRISTMAS cheer and festive joy has been well and truly washed away for the landlord and landlady of the Three Horseshoes public house in Drybridge Street, Monmouth after severe flooding wreaked havoc in the early hours of last Wednesday morning.

They awoke to find that murky flood water had poured into the old building at an alarming rate.

Despite desperate attempts to keep it at bay, thewater soaked its way into the carpet and furniture and the indoor drainage system erupted under the pressure of the amount of water going through it.

Devastated landlady Lynne Fletcher said the pub would probably have to remain closed for the duration of the Christmas period because of the extent of damage caused. And it may well have to be partly renovated with brand new fixtures and fittings and perhaps with a new concrete floor, before it can open again for business.

"All our Christmas functions and bookings have had to be cancelled," said Mrs Fletcher.

"I have never seen such damage before. It is just complete devastation all round. This will be the quietest Christmas we have seen in a long time thanks to the extent of the flooding."

Mrs Fletcher said she and her husband Sam would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has supported them and helped them through this trying time and they hope to be open again for business as soon as possible.

Ele Yearsley