With the threat of more severe flooding in the Welshpool and Oswestry areas, the Tudor Griffiths Group is offering 40 tonnes of free sand to local householders so that they may try to protect their properties with sandbags.

Management and staff at the group are inviting people to visit its builders’ merchants branches at Maesbury Road, Oswestry and Severn Farm Industrial Estate, Welshpool to fill their sandbags for free. There will be 20 tonnes of sand at each branch.

Managing director Tudor Griffiths said: “Who could not be touched by the dreadful flooding that threatens our local people? We are in a position to help and we feel duty-bound to do everything in our power to support people.

“I do hope people will come and help themselves to this resource which could allow them to preserve their properties, or at the very least hold back the deluge of flood water that threatens them.”