RESIDENTS in flooded South Bucks have spoken about their fears that global warming could make many of the county's most treasured villages uninhabitable.

According to experts at The Met Office, the problems in Bucks have been caused by rainfall levels nearly three times greater than average in October which has left the water table high.

A spokesman for the Met Office said that this autumn had been the wettest ever recorded since records began in 1766.

All this is bad news for stricken villagers of South Bucks, some of whom who find themselves unable to live in downstairs sections of their own homes.

Ian Bradford, 41, owner of the Stag and Huntsman Garage in Hambleden, has lived in the village all his life.

He said: "We've not been able to use our living room for quite a few days this year.

"We couldn't use it for four days. We used it for two, then it flooded again and we've just started to use it once more, but it's still a bit wet.

"This is a problem here, the springs are so high, this could happen to us again next week if there is more rain."

Alfred Austin, 71, of Skirmett Road, said it was the worst flooding he had seen in the village, and added that only in 1935 had he seen anything comparable.

He added: "I'm worried that this could happen every year now if it has been caused by global warming."

Another badly hit area has been Hedgerley Lane in Gerrards Cross which has been closed to traffic after large quantities of water have run off a nearby park flooded by a natural spring.

The problem is proving a major headache for Buckinghamshire County Council and the flooding has stretched their resouces to the limit.

A spokesman for the county council said: "We liaise closely with the district councils when dealing with the flooding problems in the county.

"We are able to cope with the situation but while dealing with the issue of flooding, other not so important areas will be put on the back burner for some time.

"It has had a major influence on our staffing at local area offices."

The severity of the flooding has led to a crisis meeting being called this week in Chesham at which angry residents vented their frustration at local authorities, including Buckinghamshire County Council and Thames Water.

So, are Bucks residents in for more of the same next year?

Jim Dale of the High Wycombe-based British Weather Sevices thinks not.

He said: "There may well be an element of global warming in there but there is also an element of unluckiness.

"Statistically, we would expect this summer to be long and hot and it is difficult to say how next year will turn out. The water table is dependent on the weather, we need a month or two of below average rainfall for it to return to normal."

Anyone concerned with flooding should call the county council local area offices in Beaconsfield on 01494 586600 (for the Chilterns and South Bucks) or the High Wycombe office on 01494 475315 (for High Wycombe, Marlow and Princes Risborough).

A SUMMARY of the worst incidents in South Bucks since the Free Press began reporting on the crisis on November 3.

NOVEMBER:

Farmer Stuart Macintosh becomes a hero after launching a tractor rescue of a coachload of school children stuck on a flooded road on the B4009.

Pensioners evacuated by police from their homes in Abbeybarn Road, High Wycombe, and not allowed back inside for three days after firefighters pumped water from the stricken houses.

Marlow put on a flood warning as the River Thames rises by eight inches in less than 24 hours.

Cookham High Street closed as the River Thames bursts its banks in the village.

DECEMBER:

Marlow resident John Anderson beats the waters blocking him and his wife in their homes by launching a boat which he uses regularly to fetch his post and milk.

JANUARY:

Hughenden Valley residents complain of raw sewage infiltrating their gardens. Thames Water blame the appearance of the waste on the high levels of rainfall.

FEBRUARY:

Pregnant mothers in Chesham claim to have seen floating faeces after underground drainage systems overflow.

A crisis meeting for residents called in Chesham to discuss the growing flooding problems in the town.

Chalfont St Giles resident David Johnson claims the flood waters have caused £30,000 worth of damage to his home.

Water table levels continue to be very high.