Law firms in flood-hit areas of south-west England struggled to remain operational last week.

Somerset and Dorset firm Porter Dodson was among businesses affected, with staff in Taunton having to relocate offices. Finance director Nicholas Clegg said some members of staff took three hours to get into work instead of 20 minutes due to the disruption.

The area has been one of the worst hit in the country, with people in the surrounding villages of Fordgate, North Moor and Moorland advised to evacuate their homes. ‘We are conscious of the impact on clients and have had to reschedule a number of meetings,’ Clegg said.