£1 million pledged to flood victims
Gordon Brown has pledged an extra £1 million of Government money to help flood-hit communities in Cumbria after the heaviest rainfall since records began flooded houses, swept away bridges and claimed the life of a policeman.
The Prime Minister announced the funding on a visit to the area, where rescue workers are still making door-to-door searches.
Mr Brown praised the work of the emergency services and the community spirit of the people, which he said made him proud.
Local people were advised not to return to their homes, as forecasters predicted more downpours over the coming days which could hamper the recovery effort.
Pc Bill Barker was directing motorists away from Northside Bridge at Workington when it collapsed and he disappeared into the swollen waters of the River Derwent at about 4.40am yesterday. His body was recovered later.
During his two-hour visit to Cockermouth the Prime Minister toured the centre of the town and witnessed the devastation, with cars coming to rest against trees from the force of the torrents, shop windows smashed and inches of sludge and silt covering the road.
Mr Brown pledged £1 million in extra funding, matching the money already offered by the regional development agency, saying: "We will do everything we can to support the local community in its hour of need. I have met people in the centre I have just visited showing great community spirit.
"A community is a thousand acts of kindness and friendship for each other. It is making me very very proud of this community. The emergency services have worked brilliantly, right across the board."
Earlier Mr Brown met flooded-out residents taking shelter at the Shepherd's Hotel in Cockermouth.
Ann Burns, 76, who has spent two nights at the centre, said: "He tries, I'll give him that. We all need a bit of a lift. I'm going back to nowt. I was one of the first ones evacuated and taken here, I hardly know what day it is. I'm not bothered, I'm still breathing."
