TORRENTIAL rain on Sunday meant part of the West Anglia rail line at Roydon became submerged, causing delays for trains, which had to pass the flooded section at 5mph.

And on Monday motorists were unable drive across the railway at Roydon Station due to a 5ft deep puddle on Roydon Road.

In Harlow, the Moorhen pub in Burnt Mill Lane, became victim to the floods again with its car park completely submerged.

Deputy manager Lyn Chandler said: "It has been a nightmare. We have only been flooded in the car park, the children's play area has not been affected yet. We're actually open but half the staff have been unable to get in.

"We're expecting to lose a lot of business as it's half-term, and people come here because we have the big children's play area. I reckon we've lost £3,000 just from today.

She added: "We're on full scale alert if it happens again. We have to start ripping out the childrens' play area because the plastic flooring will start to smell if it gets wet."

Diane Brown, who lives near the Moorhen, at Burnt Mill Lock, said: "It has been horrible. I've lost my garden again. But this year the water has not come into my house."

October 23, 2001 8:31