FLOOD-HIT residents in a sheltered housing scheme in Richmondshire held a party to celebrate their return home - just days before more floods hit the region.

Richmondshire District Council organised a "welcome home" party for the residents of its sheltered accommodation in Gilling West, which was badly hit by flooding last year.

On Friday, the Gilling West residents joined Richmondshire District Council staff, councillors and representatives from social services and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service at a buffet lunch to celebrate moving back in.

All the residents who wanted to have now returned home to their flats, after they were washed out last summer.

Some of the fire-fighters who had helped rescue them dropped by to visit - and were greeted with a round of applause in recognition of their efforts.

Despite Monday's bad weather, the flooding did not reach the sheltered accommodation scheme - although council staff were on hand to monitor the situation throughout.

Melva Steckles, Leader of Richmondshire District Council, was at the party on Friday. She said: "It was nice to see the same people who I met in more dramatic circumstances last year, when the flooding forced them out of their homes - but this time they were back in the comfort of their apartments."