A Shropshire couple whose plight came to symbolise the devastating floods of June 2007 today said they were looking to the future.

Sol and Doreen Pearce could only watch as their home in Corve Street, Ludlow, was swept away by gallons of floodwater. Their property was left uninhabitable and they were made homeless.

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Pictures of their home being destroyed were beamed across the world, including video images on YouTube.

Horrified people watched as the couple’s home collapsed and plunged into the water, exposing a bedroom complete with a made bed. 

At the time there were fears the flooding would cause a gas leak at the property and the area was cordoned off. 

But yesterday the couple were guests of honour at the opening of Ludlow’s new £1 million Burway Bridge – an other flooding victim – after 18 months of roadworks.

They officially opened the replacement bridge and said they had put the trauma of their home collapsing behind them and they were pleased to see the bridge open again.

Mrs Pearce said they had lived in Corve Street for 41 years before the floods and had now moved to a bungalow in Whitbatch Close. 

The land where the Pearces’ home stood has been turned into a garden.

Mrs Pearce said: “We’re pleased to be able to cut the ribbon and look to the future.”

The ceremony was also attended by about 40 members of the public, councillors, construction workers and Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.

Ludlow county councillor Peter Corston was a guest speaker at the reopening. He said it would have been much worse if people had been on the bridge when it collapsed.

Julian Greenway, community support officer for Ludlow town centre, said the opening of the bridge had been a while coming.

The county council and its consultants Mouchel and contractors McPhillips began work on the replacement bridge last summer. 

McPhillips project manager Don Howell said: “We have worked closely with the designers and Shropshire County Council to ensure the bridge meets all the requirements.

“There has been a lot of construction work to prevent future flooding in the area.”

By Rachael Lowe