STAFF at a Long Ashton company have finally moved back into their offices after they were forced to abandon them to flood water.

The premises of public relations firm Empica was badly damaged during flash floods in November, leaving its nine staff without an office to work from.

However, three months later, they have moved back into their refurbished building in Yanley Lane.

While repairs were carried out, the company used a combination of remote working and borrowed offices to ensure business continued as usual.

Managing director Martin Powell said: “Helping clients deal with the media in a crisis is one of the major parts of our business, but this was the first time we have had to deal with a major event ourselves.

“The weather last year was unusual and parts of the Chew Valley and North Somerset were flooded that had never experienced such a thing before.

“Our offices are in the bottom of a valley but in 11 years we had never experienced consistent rain over such a period that led to us having to abandon them.

“Thankfully one of our clients is property agent Colliers International who were able to point us in the direction of some temporary accommodation.

“We lodged with office interior design company McFeggan Brown in Flax Bourton and we are grateful to them being so accommodating. It was fantastic that North Somerset businesses help each other out in this way.”