A WEE COUNTY businessman has hailed the efforts of the area's emergency services after saving his flats from last week's flash floods.

William Marlin had to phone the fire service and police as rising floods threatened to enter flats he owns in Coalsnaughton last Wednesday.

Firefighters and police officers quickly responded and worked to stop the water entering the properties, saving thousands of pounds worth of potential damage in the process.

As the rain lashed down across the county, William and his family began putting sandbags down at doorways, although they only acted as a temporary fix until the fire service arrived.

Speaking to the Advertiser about the incident, he said: "The flooding was minutes away from reaching inside the properties

"Me and my wife Jayne used sandbags and a pump, but had to get the local fire brigade and police to help.

"They turned up just in time as the huge amounts of water was minutes' away from entering the ground floor flats.

"If it wasn't for the fire service and the pumps they used so quickly, the homes could have been destroyed."

The whole family contacted the Advertiser to extend their gratitude towards the emergency services for their quick response and tireless efforts.

He continued: "The drains weren't enough for this freak flash flood and it was like a water fall coming down on the main road and a river coming from the back field."

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Police in Forth Valley worked with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Coalsnaughton on Wednesday, August 7, following localised flooding in the area.

"Officers were called to Wardlaw Street at around 5.55pm and closed local roads to allow access for the emergency services and ensure the safety of residents. The road was reopened at around 6.40pm and no one was injured as a result."

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: "We were alerted at 5.43pm on Wednesday, August 7, to reports of flooding in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire.

"Operations Control mobilised one fire engine to the town's Wardlaw Street, where firefighters worked to redirect flowing water which was affecting domestic properties.

"Crews left the scene after ensuring the area had been made safe."