SIX homes in Summerseat were flooded after heavy rain and strong winds battered homes and other buildings across Bury.

The flooding at the homes, in Hillside Gardens, next to Summerseat Garden Centre, mainly affected the basements of the properties.

A fire crew from Bury fire station was initially called out at 9.45pm last night, and remained on the scene until about midnight to make sure the homes were made safe.

Watch commander Peter Fletcher, at Bury fire station, said: "Due to the volume of water coming down from the hills, the local drainage system couldn't cope.

"We used the main pump to remove the water back into the River Irwell.

"We later found that one of the drainage ditches was bunged up, which contributed to the problems.

"One particular lady had just done her basement up, and it was beautiful, but this has damaged it."

In addition, firefighters were called out to flooding at a communal basement at a house in Harwood Road, in Tottington, at about 9.15pm.

They were on the scene for about an hour, as they removed the water.