EMERGENCY action to lower the water level of Pennington Flash brought flood relief for a hard-hit part of Leigh.

A giant excavator was brought in to scoop out a channel where the Flash exits in to Hey Brook.

Water dispersed in to Pennington Brook and the River Glaze lowering levels in the Flash easing the Plank Lane flood situation and enabled the fire brigade and local authority to pump off floodwater into the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

Wigan Council helped flood-hit locals with emergency heating, lighting and food rations and evacuated those who opted to leave their homes.

A Council spokesman said: "The Dunkirk spirit shone through with most people opting to stay in their homes, although alternative accommodation was offered.

"Our officers are meeting with the Environment Agency to ensure that as far as is possible the flooding doesn't happen again.

"We need to look at a long-term solution."

The authorities are hoping a balance can be struck which will satisfy locals and safeguard the Flash's importance as a conservation area.