A couple returned home from a dream holiday to discover a burst pipe in their loft had caused thousands of pounds of damage to their house.

Gaynor and George Flint ended up spending Christmas being looked after by friends and neighbours as the ceilings of their lounge, dining room and two bedrooms had collapsed due to leaking water from the pipe.

The Flints, who live in Woodland Drive, Minster, had been on a two-and-a-half-week cruise around South America.

When they arrived back at Heathrow Airport on Thursday, December 23 it was to a text from a neighbour telling them what had happened.

Gaynor, 63, said fortunately a neighbour had seen the outside of the house was wet while they were on holiday.

After looking through the window and seeing what had happened, she spoke to the next-door neighbour who had a key and they turned the water off.

She said: “My neighbour did text me and ask when we were coming home but didn’t want to tell me and spoil the holiday.

“If she hadn’t seen what had happened it would’ve been worse.”

Although Gaynor and George, 77, had been warned, she said the damage was worse than they imagined.

Beds and carpets will all have to be replaced and the Flints collection of more than 1,000 books have been ruined.

Three sofas worth around £2,000 each have been destroyed and Gaynor’s grandfather’s treasured Complete Works of Shakespeare was among the damaged books.

The ceiling also landed on dozens of ornaments collected on their travels and a wedding photo from their Gretna Green marriage in 2006 was also soaked.

This was all made worse because the lounge ceiling had been newly plastered just before they left for their cruise, and they were due to spend Christmas in Spain in their motor-home as they have done for the past 10 years.

Gaynor, who works as a supply teacher on the Island, thanked everyone who has been so kind to them.

She said: “We couldn’t quite believe it.

“But our neighbours were wonderful giving us food and warmth and even presents over Christmas.

“They have all been really really good. We have had lots of friends who have offered help and lots of invites of places to stay.

“It made this disaster not quite as upsetting when we realised how lucky we were to have such good friends.”

The couple are now waiting to hear from the insurance company before they can start to re-build their home.