Rebuilding The Jovial Colliers after the floods will be the biggest challenge in its history, say the landlords.

The water rose so high at Tony and Denise O' Leary's pub in Upper Lydbrook that it was lapping along the surface of the bar.

But delays in the insurance process mean work hasn't yet started in the ruined pub nine days after the flood.

Tony said: "The claims assessor has told us we were under-insured and that we need to appoint a loss adjuster. I assumed that we were covered completely and that the clean-up inside would be left to the experts.

"The man from the drying company said we need to get them in rapidly, and that it might take four weeks to dry out the pub.

"But that would be too expensive for us to deal with and the loss adjuster has not inspected the pub yet."

The couple, who have run the pub for more than 11 years, live upstairs which thankfully was not affected in the flood.

Denise said: "There's history going back to 1835, but this has most likely been a pub for more than 200 years.

"I am more confident that we will get the pub back together than I was last week.

"At the time of the flooding it was devastating and you just wanted to be curled up in your own bed.

"So I really feel for those people whose homes were flooded – I'm not sure I could deal with that."

Tony and Denise had recently started offering bunkhouse accommodation for tourists and are keen to get this up and running again.

"Like many pubs we had been struggling but things were just getting going," said Denise.

"The bunkhouse wasn't flooded but I'm sure there will have to be health and safety checks before we can use it again."

The couple hope the pub will be open again sometime between January and Easter.

Parish and district councillor Bruce Hogan (Lab, Lydbrook and Ruardean) said: "The Jovial Colliers was particularly badly hit.

"The insurance company's dealings with private homes has been relatively benign but it appears they have been less than supportive of businesses who have suffered."

A concert will be held in Lydbrook Memorial Hall on Saturday with music and raffles to raise money for a Flood Relief Fund.

Proceeds from the fund being set up by villagers will be distributed to those who were left struggling after the flood. Entry to the concert is £4 on the door and the event will run from 8pm to 11.30pm.

The district council is currently offering a free collection service for flood-damaged bulky items. Council staff are also available to help remove any furniture or other goods ruined by flooding. Phone 01594 810000 for details.

Residents whose properties are uninhabitable because of flooding should contact the Council Tax team on 01594 812532.