Two shops finally recovered from last summer's floods when they opened their doors for the first time in more than year.

We Three Kings and Relics, in Bridge Street, Witney, reopened on Monday, following a mammoth programme of repair work.

The owners of the two businesses, who both live next to their shops, also lost their homes in the deluge. Nikki and Bill Maddocks, who own We Three Kings, a goldsmiths and contemporary craft gallery, explained their relief at being able to open up again. Mrs Maddocks and her husband were away at a wedding on the day of the floods and only found out about the flood damage after receiving a text message.

She said: "We had no idea things were that bad but we lost everything on the ground floor, from both our home and the shop.

"It's hard to put a value on the loss because of the sentimental value of things.

“Sofas and cushions can be replaced, family photographs can't. "Once the water had gone you could see it had really left the place in a mess. It was uninhabitable."

For Mr Maddocks, a relief firefighter for Witney Fire Station, said: "It was a triple whammy because I hadn't got anywhere to go to escape the floods.

“Our home and shop were destroyed, and then I was called in to the fire service to help other people in the same situation."

Since the beginning of this year the couple have been working to repair the damage to their business, estimated at about £100,000, and safeguard their 17th century home against another deluge.

Kate Pollard, from interior design store Relics, said at the worst of the floods the water was more than four feet high.

She said: "It was literally over half way up the door.

“The River Windrush was flowing through the shop, in the back door and right out the front.

"It was a huge thing for everyone to deal with at the time, but we did it and now we’re back up and running again."

Managing director Steve Hall said the crisis had given them a chance to make some much needed changes.

He said: "While I would never have wished for it to happen, we have come back and made some really positive alterations.

"All that is left now is to say a really big thank you to everyone who has supported us through what could have been a very difficult year."

The two shops are celebrating being back in business with an official launch tomorrow.