Charles to visit flooded Cumbrian communities

The Prince of Wales will tour parts of Cumbria today to see for himself how communities are coping with the aftermath of Storm Desmond, which left thousands of homes and businesses flooded.

Charles will visit Carlisle's Warwick Road, where residents were forced to dumped their waterlogged furniture and other possessions in the street following the storm earlier this month.

Charles will call on a few of the residents to learn how families coped with the deluge - six years after he visited the area following previous major flooding.

He will also travel to nearby Greystone Community Centre, where residents sought refuge, to meet members of the emergency services who were called out at the height of the floods.

Representatives from charities including the Salvation Army and Red Cross who provided support will also meet the Prince, along with members of the military called out to help.

The day will begin with Charles visiting the McVitie's factory, a major local employer, to learn how the floods affected business.

And the Prince will end his visit by going on a walkabout in Appleby-in-Westmorland to view the flood damage and learn about ongoing repairs.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "The visit will recognise the efforts of those who helped in the relief operation as well as showing the progress of repair work as local communities prepare for Christmas and look ahead to the new year."

Earlier this month, Charles made an undisclosed private donation to the Cumbria Community Foundation to help those affected and his Prince's Countryside Fund also released £40,000 from its emergency fund and launched a public appeal, which has raised a further £20,000.