FLOOD damage caused by Storm Christoph in January could cost an authority close to £100,000, according to latest estimates.

Four properties on the Higher Folds estate in Leigh, all Wigan Council owned, were flooded internally during the storm, which hit between January 19 and 21, causing a ‘major incident’.

Tenants in two houses on Crown Grove stayed at home during the flood, but were supplied with dehumidifiers for two weeks to help dry the property.

One household in Stirling Close was temporarily relocated to emergency hotel accommodation while a neighbouring resident moved in with a relative.

Repair works are still ongoing at both of these council-owned properties.

United Utilities now need to upgrade a culvert in Warrington Road, Abram, as well as repairing a combined sewer in Warrington Road, Leigh.

Council environment director Paul Barton told a housing panel: "This is an example of Mother Nature – climate change – and the damage it can actually do to the borough.

“We got away lightly. There were other Greater Manchester authorities which really got hundreds of properties flooded. So we were lucky.

Leigh East councillor Fred Walker added: "Terrible disruption for the tenants, but at least we handled it well and we really got cracking. So thank-you on behalf of local people for what you did there.”

Some roads which were ‘battered’ still require repairs. In total, 40 council workers attended more than 152 storm-related incidents. Some staff worked 20 hour shifts.