What caused the floods? What was it like for the people who lived through them? BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Nigel Hallam has produced a special series which brings you the story of the 1953 floods. Follow the links below to hear more » Use the BBC Webwise guide to downloading realplayer

BBC Look North weather presenter Paul Hudson explains the different weather patterns which combined to produce the devastating floods (Real 56k 1'55")

Nigel Hallam hears the stories of people on the Lincolnshire coast who were caught up in the tidal surge (Real 56k 2'07")

Listen to the remarkable story of 'Bud' Shields - he rescued people from the floods in 1953 and watched the Beach Hotel in Sutton on Sea collapse. He is now a councillor, is on the flood defence committee for the Environment Agency and has an MBE for his services to the floods. (Real 56k 4'10")


Hear the experiences of Nev Aggio, an RAF Policeman in Manby in 1953. He remembers taking people out of windows by ladders onto a flat back truck and rescuing 2 old ladies in a bungalow who were sat on top of furniture - they'd been there for over 24 hours. He worked solidly from Saturday night till Monday night without sleep.
Part One (Real 56k 2'00") »

Part Two (Real 56k 1'49") »


Hear the story of Keith, a man who saved lives in 1953 but has never recorded his experiences before. (Real 56k 4'06")

BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Nigel Hallam explains the effect of the floods on the whole of Lincolnshire and the battle to shore up defences before the next spring tide. (Real 56k 4'14")

What are your memories of the floods? Do you have pictures of that fateful day in January 1953? Share your thoughts by emailing lincolnshire@bbc.co.uk

See also: Flood advice | After a flood | Flood facts | Flooding then and now | Useful links | Pictures of the flooding

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