STORM Frank has claimed New Start Cat Rescue in Newent as one of its victims as the cat pens became flooded.

Continuous heavy downpour also saw the yard of the charity, which rescues and rehomes cats, underwater last week.

Many of the runs that they house cats and kittens in while nursing them back to health have been flooded and owner Jackie Bahooshy is hoping to raise money to put them right.

She said: “As you can see we got very wet. The cats have now got temporary boarding on the floor to keep them dry, and a group of bikers visited on Sunday to see if they could help make the pens waterproof.

“The water seeped in under the pens making everywhere, including the sleeping area, very wet.

“The car park is full of water which makes it difficult for those coming and leaving the place.”

Residents in Malswick have expressed concerns about the main B4215 road between Gloucester and Newent where New Start Cat Rescue is based.

Anne Evans said: “The amount of rain we have had has meant that the ditches on either side of the B4215 are now overflowing.

“They really need clearing out as they overflow and flood the road every year.

“I am now concerned that once it starts to get colder the water will begin to freeze. My husband has seen a road traffic accident every year on this stretch of road.”

Others have been affected even more directly along the B road that links Gloucester and Newent.

Cllr Craig Lawton (Conservative), whose Oxenhall and Newent North East ward includes Malswick, said he had been contacted by a number of residents who live along the B4215.

He said: “Everyone is reporting the same thing: that the ditches along the side of the road are not deep enough to cope with the amount of rain we have been having.

“It has become a common occurrence that, each time we have large amount of rain, the Gloucester to Newent road becomes flooded.

“In the case of New Start Cat Rescue, who I visited last year, they are experiencing the brunt of the rain water as it is flowing thorough their yard and onto the road.”

Cllr Lawton added: “I have written to Highways at Gloucestershire County Council asking if they can clear out the ditches more often and look at making them deeper so that they are under less strain next time we have a lot of rain.

“Unfortunately I think it may be too late for this winter, but hopefully we can stop this happening year after year.

“It might be the case that a new culvert is needed under the road, as it seems the current one is at full capacity at the moment and this also adds to the road surface becoming flooded.”

To help New Start Cat Rescue call 07510134805.