Maurice Ramsden, was decorating Frank and Heather Reilly's quaint cottage while they were on holiday, when a 10ft stone embankment came crashing into the garden, yesterday.

And when it collapsed, floodwater pouring off the nearby road and fields surged through Station Cottage in Rowley, near Consett, County Durham.

Mr Ramsden, 46, of Sunderland, said: "I could hear the rain hammering down outside and out of the window I could see rainwater flowing quickly down the path to the front door of the house.

"I could see the wall was going to collapse so I turned on my heels and ran back towards the house.

"As I did, the entire 10ft wall collapsed behind me and I ran for my life, slamming the door behind me.

"I stayed upstairs and phoned the fire brigade and wasn't sure how I'd get out because I thought the front door was blocked.

"It was frightening, to be honest. I have had a really lucky escape. I have never seen rain like it. Within minutes of the rain coming down it was flooding.

"The fire brigade arrived and helped me to safety."