The "spirit of the Blitz" returned to Thames Ditton after businesses, homes and gardens were flooded by a major water mains bursting in Basingfield Road at 4am on Thursday, November 30.

A huge current of water surged from the ground, and gushed at full force through the High Street and down to the river, damaging about 200 houses, 12 of which have had to be vacated. Water supply to 17,000 properties was also temporarily cut off.

Tracy Blatchford who owns Thames Fireplaces in the High Street said the force was so strong the water ripped out the back gardens of houses in the street and knocked down a wall.

"There is a 30 foot crater where the mains burst, there is no lawn left and it looks like a bomb has hit it," she said.

Caroline Stewart, who lives in a cottage on the High Street set a few steps down from the road, said: "A noise woke me up at about five in the morning, it sounded like a water tank had burst. I saw water gushing down the street like a river."

Her neighbour Vee Fooks said the water came to above her knees.

She said: "When I tried to cross the road the water was well above my wellies and the force of it was so strong it was hard to get across."

But one thing that has come out of the chaos is the confirmation of Thames Ditton as a close community.

Councillor Ruth Lyon said: "The spirit of the Blitz has kicked in and everyone is helping each other out."

Thames Water John Drudge, Surrey Fire and Emergency Support Service coordinator, said: "As the flood happened, a lot of people were indoors and were forced to evacuate their homes.

"It all happened very quickly so people were shocked. We were there to give them a hot drink and advise them on what to do next. We helped a lot of people find places to stay."

The Red Cross team helped families in the High Street and Station Road areas.

They handed out refreshments, helped them find temporary accommodation, gave advice on insurance, and liaised with Thames Water and the fire service.

The greed factor'

The "greed factor" could be kicking in among landlords letting properties to people displaced by the Thames Ditton flooding.

At least 12 properties in the area have had to be vacated indefinitely, and other people have moved out temporarily while their houses dry out after the major Thames Water water main burst on Thursday.

But short supply of rental homes in Thames Ditton at a time when many people are looking for short-term lodgings could cause some agents to cash in on their misfortune, according to letting manager at HJC, Paul Barnett.

He said: "We have managed to find two properties for reasonable prices for clients, but the flood could not have happened at a worse time of year as so few properties are available before Christmas.

"If it had happened in the summer there would be more empty properties, but no likes to move out just before Christmas.

"I hate to say it but the greed factor could be kicking in, and agents may be charging more for properties because they know people are desperate."