A NEW FOREST pub has reopened after it was flooded by torrential rain.

Staff and volunteers were forced to spend seven hours baling out water from an overflowing drain after pipes were thought to have collapsed.

Now landlady of The Swan in Lyndhurst says it's down to the "wonderful support of the staff and volunteers" that they are now open for business again tonight.

Earlier today Harry Barnes, landlord of the Swan in Lyndhurst says he was "desperate" for volunteers to help clear the water from the pub.

Mr Barnes woke to find water flooding through the property after today's heavy rainfall.

Harry said: "At the moment it's just me, my wife, our chef and our sub chef trying to clear it out. More help would be lovely. We've had a major flood.

"If we can stop the rain coming in then the next step is to get it cleared out.

"The water comes onto our property off Emery down, through a tunnel and the drains have burst I think."

The pub is now open.