Back in July 1955 it rained and it rained....and then in rained some more.

The village of Martinstown, near Dorchester, set the Guinness World Record for the highest level of rainfall in 24 hours (12 inches).

There was widespread flooding in the area and, as you can see in this photo, a street in Weymouth turned into a river and the only way to get around was by boat.

Residents commandeered a rowing boat to get in and out and, by the looks on their faces, the only response to the situation was 'keep calm and carry on'.

Many people living in the Westham area of Weymouth couldn't return to their homes because of the amount of water and had to find overnight accommodation elsewhere.

Nostalgia enthusiast Sue Hogben said the 1955 floods are a meaningful date in history.

She said: "It's the only date I remember because it’s the year I was born and my old mum was forever telling me about the flood. They lived in Hanover Road then right opposite Radipole gardens and she said water came up over the railway lines at one stage."

This freak weather brought tragedy to Upwey where, in the aftermath of the flooding, schoolboy Robin Crump, aged 12, died when he went to look at the damage the flood had caused and fell into deep water.

In February 1956, John Jewers, 17, of Chapel Lane, was presented with the Royal Humane Society's certificate by the Mayor for 'having on 19 July 1955, at personal risk, gone to the rescue of a boy who drowned in an area disturbed by floods … but whose life he gallantly tried to save.'

Do share any memories and pictures you have of the 1955 floods below.