Worcestershire-based Forest Garden marketing head Vicky Nuttall said: "We have increased our production levels to meet this demand at a time when we are normally relatively quiet.There are no specific regional peaks in demand that we have been able to identify as the whole country experienced the extreme weather conditions.

"In terms of the effect of flooding, we will not see sales rise yet because ground conditions will be too wet and soggy for fencing work to be undertaken. This will, however, lead to some very localised increases in demand. But these may not come to light until some time in the new year when weather conditions improve."

Cocklestorm Fencing Company in Manchester said the company was "busier than it has been-because of the weather".