Bellingham, Northumberland hit by flooding after heavy rain

Among the worst hit properties were Bellingham Middle and Primary primary schools, which both suffered flood damage.

As the Courant went to press both schools were due to remain closed until further notice whilst council officials and school staff cleaned up and assessed the most suitable opening dates.

Bellingham Middle school thanked parents over the weekend, saying: “We can’t thank our parents, staff and local community enough for the help you have given us."

Wendy Goddard, headteacher of Bellingham Primary School, said: "The primary school wasn't as badly affected inside as the middle school and with the extraordinary help from our kind families it's almost back to normal. Our classrooms were untouched.

"Within minutes of our social media postings, we had offers of help to clean up. I can't thank people enough.

"It seemed especially surreal given that the day before we'd all been together in the sunshine sharing our coronation picnic," she said.

Flooding at Bellingham (Image: Julie Mobberley)

Northumberland National Park Authority closed Hareshaw Linn waterfall and its walk as floodwater toppled trees, caused landslides and destroyed footpaths.

Hareshaw Linn after the flooding (Image: Hexham Courant Camera Club)

Damage to the route is severe and it is expected the path will be closed for some time.

Margaret Anderson, a Northumberland National Park Authority senior ranger, said: “Signage has been put in place to advise people that the path to Hareshaw Linn is closed.

Severe damage has been caused to the route (Image: Hexham Courant Camera Club)

"We understand Hareshaw Linn is a popular walking route with both local residents and visitors to Northumberland National Park however the route must be closed for everyone’s safety.

Flooding at Bellingham Primary School (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

"Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in the area this week, so it may be some time before conditions are safe enough to allow staff to assess the full extent of the damage.

Flooding damage at the primary school (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

"Everyone should be mindful of the risk of further landslips. Our staff and volunteers will be monitoring the location and we thank everyone for their cooperation.”

Inside the primary school (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

All roads in and out of the village were impassable for several hours, television satellite signals were lost and some saw brief power outages.

The clean up at the primary school (Image: Bellingham Primary School)

Heavy rain caused damage to Hareshaw Linn's footpaths and caused landslides (Image: Hexham Courant Camera Club)