Residents in parts of Athlone say Christmas is on hold as they try to keep rising waters from flooding their homes.

Westmeath Co. Council estimates that water levels will peak on Wednesday, and it’s raining heavily in the town this morning.

Low lying areas of Athlone have been sand-bagged, but it’s thought 100 houses are at risk of flooding.

Keith Walsh is one of a dedicated team of volunteers manning the pumps around the clock.

He says the houses on The Park would be flooded were it not for a team effort;