Cornwall gets £155,000 to help cope with flooding

Flooding caused widespread disruption in many parts of Cornwall on 17 November

Cornwall will receive £155,000 from the government next year to help deal with flooding.

The money will be used by Cornwall Council to draw up management plans to protect and support areas which could be at risk.

In 2012, the grant will be doubled to more than £315,000.

Damaged caused by flooding which devastated much of mid-Cornwall in November is expected to cost million of pounds to repair.

Floodwater reached 6ft (2m) in places after heavy rain hit parts of the county, affecting more than 600 homes and businesses.

This new government funding will be welcomed by St Austell and Newquay Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert who had called for better warning systems and more funding for councils in the House of Commons last week.

Part of the money will be spent on supporting local flood awareness groups.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said the money would go a long way to help Cornwall Council identify and deal with the risk of flooding.

A total of £21m will be given to local councils across the country next year.

"Each local authority can decide where the money will be of most use," Ms Spelman said.

"It could be used to pay members of staff, to come up with plans for dealing with surface water flooding or generally work with the public on how best to deal with flooding."