VILLAGERS at Ravensmoor were stranded inside their homes on Monday when a 15ft section of the Llangollen canal burst its banks.

People sleeping in barges were thrown from their beds as water emptied out of the mile-and-a-half stretch of canal.

British Waterways say the breach, between Bethills Bridge and Halls Lane Bridge is likely to have been caused by a small culvert under the canal which collapsed, leaving boats moored on the banks.

The culvert carries water from a drainage ditch in neighbouring farm land.

Kenneth Stockdale, of Chapel Lane, Baddiley, claims his home was the most severely affected.

Speaking to the Chronicle on Monday, he said: 'We were marooned when we woke up and my driveway was swamped in two feet of water. The water caused damage to my property and ruined my lawnmowers.'

Penny Whalley, of Barracks Lane, Ravensmoor, said: 'Gardens were awash and people's houses were surrounded with water like big moat.

'One man who lives on a barge was tipped out of bed when his boat was left on its side. '

The Llangollen canal is closed to boaters for 12 miles between Hurleston Junction and Grindley Brook Locks.

British Waterways spokesman Jonathan Ludford, said: 'British Waterways maintenance staff were at the scene of the breach by 6am on Monday and have installed stop planks to dam the canal.

'Engineers are currently on site assessing the level of damage although it is too early to say how long the stretch of canal will be closed to boats.'

The Llangollen canal remains open between Grind-ley Brook Locks and Llangollen as does the Shrop-shire Union Canal which adjoins the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction.

Customers requiring information should contact British Waterways at North-wich on 01606 723800.