The floods killed 134 people in and around the Ahr Valley and the clean up is taking time.

Local pastor Bernd Bazin said: “It will be a Christmas to remember for some: We stuck together so much in the floods, we experienced so much solidarity.”

But he acknowledged that Christmas Eve for some “could be quite awful” and people might find the idea of a Christmas celebration inappropriate.

Many were stuck on rooftops on the night of July 15, hearing cries for help from neighbours and witnessing destruction to their homes as cars and heating oil tanks swept along by the flash flood crashed against them.

A big festive meal is planned in the area on Christmas Eve, when Germans traditionally celebrate the holiday.

Volunteer Claudia Kreuser said: “We want to give people a little bit of a homely feeling and have an open ear.”