A DOG was nearly swept away to its death during the water main burst that flooded more than 20 homes in Little Hulton.

Gina Sheridan from Manchester Road West was taking her two West Highland Terriers, Lisa and Rocky for a walk along Clarke Crescent, when the 40 inch pipe attached to the main Thirlmere Aqueduct burst.

Gina said: "I head this bang which sounded like a firework. And then all of a sudden there was all this water.

"Both dogs were off their lead and Lisa was slightly in front. The water hit her and started to carry her down Clarke Crescent. She was spinning."

Devoted owner Gina threw her shoes behind her and scrambled through the water after her pet dog. "The water was flowing so fast I couldn't catch her. If it had not been for a privet hedge which stopped her she'd be dead."

Yesterday, the 23 shocked families hit by the flood were taking stock of the damage wreaked by the hundreds of thousands of gallons of water which hit their homes on Monday afternoon. Geraldine Pawson and her husband Arthur were one of the worst hit families on Manchester Road West. They had just spent thousands on renovating their home.

On Monday night Mr and Mrs Pawson took up North West Water's offer, and booked into a hotel for the night. Their two children, Lisa, nine, and Rebecca, four, stayed with relatives.

Back in the family home, which had been submerged under a foot of water, Mrs Pawson, said: "It's a mess and the stench is terrible. I really don't think it's fit to live in. After all the work we've done and we are going to have to start again. It's really depressing."

Mrs Pawson said she thought NWW should have a scheme which offers people hit by disaster immediate compensation. "We were able to book into a hotel because we have credit cards. But what about those people who don't have access to that. They would have been unable to pay by card and then later bill NWW."

Mrs Pawson added that she had seen NWW's loss assessors. "They have been very good up to now. I just hope they are quick in coming up with the money so that we can all start to rebuild our lives."

Neighbour Sara Foster spent the night following the flood with relatives. "I can't face the house," she said.

Yesterday, she was making desperate attempts to dry out soggy family photographs and an album, charting the development of one of her children.

According to NWW between 300,000 and 400,000 gallons of water at Manchester Road West and Rothwell Crescent. A spokesman said: "It is our pipe and if anyone had flooding as a result of that we will take responsibility. We will also consider claims for compensation."

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