A STUDENT has reflected on her time coming to the aid of flooded farmers in Somerset during one of the wettest winters on record.

Writtle College’s Elizabeth Ecclestone, from Chelmsford, was part of the Essex Young Farmers’ Forage Aid initiative that delivered supplies and support to families devastated by the floods.

Elizabeth, 20, who is in her second year of an agricultural business management degree, said: “Unfortunately it was very hard to see all the affected areas as the floods were so deep that access was only available to most areas by boat. Even then, 3ft waves could build up and access was completely impossible.

“The sights we saw were devastating and absolutely unimaginable. It was like I was looking out to sea, the water was so vast.

“Oil, rubbish and debris were everywhere and just floating around. The condition of the soil when the water recedes fully is going to be devastating.”