A SELFLESS woman whose own home flooded while she was helping others during Storm Desmond has been hailed a Flood Hero.

Sarah Benjamin, 42, was among those who answered a 'cry for help' posted on Facebook by Sandylands Methodist Church on Saturday, December 5.

She volunteered to visit an older woman, Jean, who was reluctant to leave her home, where water was knee-deep, and managed to persuade her to safety.

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Later that day, as the situation worsened, Sarah's neighbour phoned to tell her to hurry back as her house at The Mart, on Appleby Road, was flooding.

Sarah and husband David, who wed last September, 'lost everything' when four feet of water poured into their brand new home. Sarah had to be rescued by boat and the couple were grateful to be taken in for the night by kind strangers. They are now living temporarily at K Village and have continued to help people hit by December's floods.

Sarah, a special school support worker, said she had "tears in her eyes" when she heard she had been nominated as a Flood Hero. A friend told the Gazette: "After being flooded herself and having to move out of her property, she was still helping other people via social media - she has a heart of gold."

Mr and Mrs Benjamin appeared on BBC's Songs of Praise in January, when broadcaster John Craven filmed at Sandylands Methodist Church. Sarah praised the kindness of the congregation, and said that she and Jean would be 'friends forever'.

* Nominate your Flood Hero by emailing mike.addison@kendal.newsquest.co.uk