THE Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Michael Perham, was among the bishops who made a tour of flooded churches. Among them was St Bartholomew's, at Ashleworth, which could be reached only through a chicken barn in a neighbour's field. The whole church was flooded with filthy water about a foot deep, with all the consequential damage to flooring and furniture.

He also went to see St John the Baptist, at Chaceley, whichwas surrounded by water, but fortunately had not actually been flooded. Nearby houses were, however, and the Bishop visited residents in both parishes to find out how they were coping.

He said that it had been important for him to see at first hand the effect that the floods had had on people's lives and properties, and their churches. "It was inspiring to see how positive people were during such a difficult time."