Almost 600 households who were evacuated after extreme flooding have been told they can return home a week after a river burst its banks.
Residents in Wainfleet were forced to flee after heavy rainfall flooded 137 properties, with the Royal Air Force being deployed to help those stranded.
At least 590 households were told to leave as waters continued to surge last Saturday, with further heavy rain predicted, after the town first flooded on June 12.
More than two months' worth of rain fell in three days last week, causing a breach of the flood bank on the River Steeping.
A Chinook helicopter was flown to the town to drop sand in an attempt to stem the flow from the River Steeping, which plunged more than 70 homes in water when it breached on Tuesday evening.
They dropped 270 tonnes of ballast to shore up the flood defences as the town flooded.
Residents and fire crews worked round the clock to stop the flooding – filling sandbags and pumping water – but their efforts were overwhelmed as the deluge continued.
On Friday Ben Thornely, flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, said: "We know how hard this last week has been for the people of Wainfleet and the surrounding areas whose home and businesses were flooded.
“Keeping people safe and helping them get back home is our top priority and we are pleased that over 500 people can return to their properties today."
