A parish council is demanding an emergency meeting with Anglian Water after Chelsea-on-Sea became Chelsea-in-Flood.

Parts of the centre of Burnham Market became flooded after a stream which runs through the centre of the village burst its banks at the end of last week.

The ancient watercourse, known as the Goose Beck, dries out in summer and does not always flow in the winter.

Eastern Daily Press: A car negotiates the floodwaters in Burnham MarketA car negotiates the floodwaters in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

But in recent years, heavy rains have seen it spring back into life. And in 2021, there was major flooding when the chic village's sewers were unable to cope with heavy rainfall.

While levels are receding, the Beck was still flowing strongly on Wednesday, while floodwaters reached almost as far as the door of village pub the Hoste Arms, which was fortified by sandbags.

Elsewhere spray was flying as cars negotiated a usually-dry ford, while a number of homes and businesses still had pumps deployed to clear water from their basements.

Eastern Daily Press: Flood waters outside the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market Flood waters outside the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

Dennis Clark, chair of Burnham Market Parish Council, said: "I've written to the chief executive of Anglian Water and asked if he'll send someone to attend an open meeting.

 "We're hoping to hitch up with a couple of other people to see if we can find a solution.

"The population of Burnham Market has increased dramatically and the sewer system is not coping.

"I know some of it looks bad but compared to what's been happening in other parts of the country it's pretty minor - but try telling that to someone whose toilet isn't working."

Eastern Daily Press: Flooding outside No Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant in Burnham MarketFlooding outside No Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mr Clark hopes representatives from the borough and county councils will also attend the meeting.

Tim Roberts, owner of No Twenty9 Bar and Restaurant on the Market Place, was one of those having to pump out the basement of his business.

"We have to have a pump running 24/7 or all our beers and chillers would be wrecked," he said. 

"It's up to the Environment Agency I suppose. I don't know where it comes from, why it happens, whether it's an act of God."

Eastern Daily Press: Charles Smith beside the Goose Beck in Burnham MarketCharles Smith beside the Goose Beck in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

Villager Charles Smith, 73, a retired solicitor, said the flooding wasn't the worst he'd seen in the village.

"Two years ago it was really bad," he said. "The water board were all over the place pumping the water out of the village.

"It's not good but it looks pretty. I think it's great for Pooh Sticks now, it isn't usually, it's usually dry."

Eastern Daily Press: James Bassett at the Fairfax Gallery in Burnham MarketJames Bassett at the Fairfax Gallery in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

James Bassett, who runs the Fairfax Gallery on Front Street, said: "It's the water table. The water table is right up and in previous years, the guys either side of me were pumping out for weeks.

"Once it's up, it doesn't go down very quickly. It has been extreme."

Next door, interiors boutique Norfolk Living was closed, while water was gushing from a pipe fed through its letter box.

Eastern Daily Press: Farmer Tom McCreadie surveys the flood waters in Burnham MarketFarmer Tom McCreadie surveys the flood waters in Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

"The EA don't dredge anything like they used to," said Tom McCreadie, who farms on Gallow Hill near the village. "You speak to any good countryman, that's what they'll say."

Local legend has it the beck is fed by rain which falls as far away as the Chilterns and percolates through underlying chalk.

Others blame development which has taken place in and around the village for accentuating run-off.

Eastern Daily Press: Flooding in South Creake, near Burnham MarketFlooding in South Creake, near Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop, Newsquest)

Nearby South Creake has also suffered from flooding in recent days, as the swollen River Burn which usually babbles harmlessly through the village burst its banks.

A flood warning remains in place for the area.

Anglian Water and the Environment Agency have been approached for comment.