TWO years ago this Winchester dental practice was ravaged by flooding as water rose up through the floor and wiped out thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

Now City Bridge Dental Care has been restored with help from an £8,700 civic grant.

Partner Mark Aston said: “The flood wiped out our entire basement, which contained two hi-tech surgery rooms the patient care suite and a decontamination room. We had to undertake extensive restoration, fitting pumps under the new floor to keep the river out, reconfiguring the space as offices and relocating the surgeries into another area of the building.

"The Business Support Grant we received from Winchester City Council was a great help funding site inspections, certification of repairs and a stand for our microscope, although I am glad to say we were able to save the microscope itself. "

Cllr James Byrnes, the council's portfolio holder for local economy, said: “When extreme conditions hit the Winchester city and district areas, the council will endeavour to help local businesses who are affected, not only as the water is lapping around their feet but also once there has been time to review and assess preventative measures that can be carried out.”

Flood-hit businesses are still available to apply for grants via winchester.gov.uk/environment/flood/flood-advice-businesses. Applications close on March 31.