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Or connect them anyway and let people move in - contributing towards Buckinghamshire Council's target for new homes, but increasing the sewage pollution of the nearby river, the Great Ouse?

Shipyard workers hammered away the last supporting "shores" and wedges, then ducked and dashed for cover as the huge vessel slid above their heads in a spectacular sideways launch into the River Ouse.

Some of the worst affected river catchments included the Nene in Cambridgeshire and the Great Ouse in Bedfordshire where Environment Agency flood warnings, external were issued frequently over the past month.

River catchments that are experiencing flooding on Monday morning include the River Axe in Devon, the Ouzel in Buckinghamshire and the Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire.

Rising river levels have seen homes flood near the Great River Ouse in Bedfordshire.