A DEVASTATED businessman today vowed to leave town after his premises were wrecked by flooding.

Graham Hope's Lancashire Plaster Products suffered massive damage to stock and equipment as a deluge of dirty water poured in early yesterday.

And as he surveyed the damage to his Chorley New Road, Horwich, business he said: "I just want to put a lid on this and move - how can I take the risk of this happening again?"

The flood, which also affected a string of other neighbouring properties, is the third to hit Mr Hope in seven years, and by far the worst. Piles of materials used in the manufacture of ornate fireplace surrounds and decorative ceiling roses were submerged in about 5ft of murky water, as well as his whole stock of electrical power tools. Firemen spent hours pumping out the water.

Sludge had mixed with resins used in the manufacturing process to create a smelly, sticky film across everything the water had touched.

The flood hit after torrential rain during the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Hope added: "I'm devastated, it's an absolute mess and I've had enough. I've asked the council to look at the drains after my other two floods but nothing seems to have happened. "They told me to contact North West Water as well, which I did, but nothing seems to have been done as far as I can see.

"It's a shame because I think this business is a good asset for Horwich, but I need to move somewhere else."

Since he set up in 1987, Mr Hope's business has suffered similar floods twice - in December 1989 and December 1991.

Neighbour Keith Downham, who lives two door away from Lancashire Plaster Products, fears his washing machine and central heating system are wrecked after water flooded his garage. The family car could have been badly damaged too, but fortunately his wife had taken it out.

Mr Downham has also suffered in the previous floods. He said: "Whoever is responsible has got to look at the water pipes and drainage system around here quickly. We don't want any more floods."

Among the other properties hit were Tee-K's nightclub, where water poured onto the dance floor and into the bar, and Horwich Ex-servicemen's club.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.