FLOOD-stricken Monmouth pensioners Ronald and Marjorie Moses were despairing over their plight until a guardian angel strode out of the water to help.

Loss adjuster John Phillips was responding to an emergency call from the Moses' insurers saying their Forge Road home had been hit first by a wave of raw sewage then a wall of water and mud.

"It was such a surprise to see him appear out of the flooded field – action above and beyond the call of duty, I would say," said Mrs Moses.

The loss adjustment firm, Crawford and Company, couldn't reach the couple by telephone because all the lines were down.

"With the knowledge that all roads to the house were blocked off due to heavy flooding and that the water just couldn't be parted, John Phillips decided to don a pair of waders in order to reach the house," said a company spokesman.

"After leaving Crawford's Cardiff branch, John was forced to wade over a football pitch to reach the couple.

"Once he arrived they were in good spirits and delighted that the firm was able to assess the claim quickly and organise cleaners and driers to get the house back to square one."

And Mr Phillips added: "The row of six cottages had no phones working so I got on my mobile and made sure they got all the help they needed.

"Some say floods are an Act of God, but I'm sure the Moses' would disagree."

Mrs Moses said they now had dehumidifiers working non stop and she had just heard that a replacement washing machine and fridge were on their way. Her daughter who lives next door was also helping.

But the best news of all was that a near neighbour whose home had been unaffected by the flood had lent it to them over Christmas while they were on holiday.

"People are so good," she said.