Thousands of people in a English town are being allowed return home after police said the 'immediate danger' of destructive flooding has passed.
The residents of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire were evacuated last week after heavy rain damaged a reservoir dam wall.
Hundreds of people, as well as a military helicopter, have since been involved in an effort to pump water from the reservoir and ensure the damaged wall was stable.
Officials now say the situation has been stablised and the evacuated residents can finally return home.
Derbyshire Police's Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann praised the 'incredible hard work and dedication' that went in to tackling the situation.
She said: "At the forefront of our thoughts are the communities affected by this incident who have been steadfast in the face of the peril that lay behind that dam wall.
"The danger posed by the millions of tonnes of water, which would have destroyed homes and livelihoods, could not be underestimated."
She stressed that while the immediate danger has passed, the dam is still broken and more work will be needed.
A Royal Air Force Chinook transports sandbags as work continues to shore up the dam at Toddbrook Reservoir near the village of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, after it was damaged in heavy rainfall. Picture by: Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA ImagesExtra police, meanwhile, are being deployed to the area for the coming days to assist the residents moving back.
Ms Swann added: "The resolve, community spirit, kindness and generosity to [the affected people's] fellow residents, businesses, friends and family shown in the face of such danger has been extraordinary.
"Once again, may I thank all those who have helped in the effort to save the dam and a huge thank you to the communities affected."
