LIBERAL Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has joined Romsey MP Sandra Gidley on visits to waterlogged homes in the area.

One resident he met was 89-year-old Dorothy Thomas, whose garden in Rivermead Close has been flooded since Wednesday. Her home could remain under water for months.

She said: "There are many things in life that we have to put up with and that would be one of them. It's still lovely here despite all the water."

Mr Kennedy praised the resilience of locals hit by rising waters and added: "Local authorities are doing their very level best and that is appreciated by people.

"But what can you do when faced with this sort of difficulty?

"We have got to start thinking globally and as a country we have to put more resources into forward planning."

Mrs Gidley said: "Nobody is under any illusions that it will be an easy job ahead."