Leatherhead station is expected to remain shut for another week after being contaminated with sewage during last week’s floods.

Epsom’s watch commander Sean Tickner said this morning that Leatherhead fire station is still closed, after being evacuated and shut on Christmas Eve because of rising flood waters when the River Mole burst its banks.

Mr Tickner said a specialist cleaning firm is currently at the flooded station clearing sewage and effluent - a process he expects will take at least a week.

He said: "The station is still in a right mess, but although the station is shut the crews are still operating in the area."

Mr Tickner said that, during the day, Leatherhead’s crews are working out of the ambulance station in Kingston Road, Leatherhead, and that they are currently based in a hotel in Cobham during the nights.  He said the station’s administrative staff are temporarily based at Epsom fire station.