Washed out by rainfall

Nearly half of October’s normal rainfall fell in Dewsbury on Sunday, soaking Pitta Patta, a children’s shoe shop in The Arcade in the town centre.

On Monday, shop owner Amanda Clarke said: “We came yesterday to bring some bags to the shop, to find it was just swimming in water. It’s just so soul destroying, it’s unbelievable.”

Pitta Patta had roof repairs after it was flooded in July, but after the second deluge Ms Clarke says she no longer wants to stay in The Arcade. And because rents are so high in the town centre she may be foreced to quit Dewsbury altogether.

Angela Stokes, who owns Blossom and Berries florist next door, said: “The thought of having another empty shop is quite depressing.”

Richard Scargill, who manages The Arcade for landlord Adhan’s, blamed the leaks on lead being stolen from the roof. “I don’t think we could have done a lot more,” he said.

Roads and paths at Dewsbury Retail Park were under several inches of water after 30mm of rainfall. Drains burst in Leeds Road, sandbags were out in Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury Moor and flood warning signs were out in Halifax Road.

Kerbs on Newgate Street in Mirfield had been damaged.

The Environment Agency warned banks may burst if there was much more heavy rain.