THE Haystack pub, in Furtherwick Road, was forced to close during a busy Sunday lunchtime as flood water destroyed half the bar.

Customers were stranded in seating areas and children were carried outside through 12ins of water. Owner Warren Garner said: “The bar was full of a foot of water. There were kids stuck.

“It’s going to cost thousands.

This pub makes a big chunk of its money at weekends, but without this part of the bar being open, it’s going to cost me in lost revenue £15,000 to £20,000 a week.

“We’ve spent a lot of money in the past developing this pub and it has had a wider effect on the community.

“We host a disco for the disabled on Tuesdays and I have a group in for arts and crafts on a Monday – they’ve had to be cancelled.

“But it is still business as usual – we’re open. We’re doing our best to continue trying in difficult circumstances and the kitchen is open.”