IT HAS been eight months since floods devastated around 80 homes in Buckskin but today one couple was reunited with their home.

As previously reported by The Gazette, a total of 87 homes were evacuated in Grampian Way, Exmoor Close, Bodmin Close, Antrim Close, Prescelley Close, Quantock Close, Sperrin Close and Holyrood Court, in the Buckskin area, after February 8 when the properties were hit by groundwater flooding.

Denise Walker, 63, and her husband Mike, 66, moved back to their rented three-bedroom bungalow, in Bodmin Close, this morning.

Mike is currently battling a brain tumour and has to take 150 tablets a week and four injections a day.

The couple have endured a chaotic year so far after staying in a Basingstoke hotel for 97 days before being temporarily located to a one-bedroom bungalow in Buckingham Court, Buckskin after they were evacuated in February when sewage water came into their property.

Grandmother-of-six Mrs Walker told The Gazette that she was “apprehensive” about moving back into the property, saying: “I am pleased to get back into my home but I don’t want it happening again.

“I have had no reassurance that it is not going to happen again. They have had from March until now to decide whether to put more drainage or pumping in but nothing has been decided.”

But the 63-year-old praised Sovereign Housing Association, who has paid for the cost of moving back in, adding: “From our point of view, my husband Mick has always been a priority with Sovereign. I would like to thank the Bodmin community, Nigel Pierce and Paul Harvey – they have been brilliant.”

Husband Mick added: “It is marvellous to be back and our grandchildren can stay now. We have come back because we love the property and the community and it is easy for us to get to the shops. It has taken a little bit of time but it is so nice in there so I am pleased.”

However, there were angry scenes as the grandmother-of-six confronted Hampshire County Councillor for Basingstoke North West, Stephen Reid about the lack of action.

The mother-of-two said: “I have got a disabled husband and I can’t go through this again. It has been horrendous. I can’t put him through that again.”

Cllr Reid told The Gazette that he is looking at a range of options including replacement drainage but added: “If I say no it is not going to flood again this year, I would be lying. There are no means of knowing.”