A SERVICE which linked the marooned village of Muchelney to the mainland during the floods has stopped.

Water has now cleared on the roads meaning Somerset County Council’s all-terrain vehicle is no longer needed.

The roads are now open to ordinary traffic and once-stranded villagers can access the village by car for the first time since New Year.

Cllr John Osman, leader of Somerset County Council, said: “We funded the Muchelney boat service right back at the very start of the floods crisis.

“Since then we have provided all kinds of transport solutions to help a number of different flooded communities across Somerset.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in helping so many people continue with their lives in a really challenging situation.

“There are many agencies working together to help with this recovery and it is great news that the situation has now improved to such an extent that the roads can reopen and we can stand down.”

A flat-bottomed boat service was introduced on January 10 to help people get in and out of the village.

When the flooding receded but the water was still too deep for cars, the boat was replaced by an all-terrain vehicle which ran until last Thursday (March 20).