"COMPENSATION" issued to Millom residents in the wake of flash flooding was an automatic payment under United Utilities rules.

Hundreds of properties were damaged when heavy rain battered the town at the end of September, with the clean-up and recovery operation still ongoing.

Last week, many residents received letters from United Utilities awarding "compensation payments in recognition of the disturbance caused."

A spokesperson for the water company, however, has said the word was used in error as they only issue compensation when they are at fault, which wasn't the case in Millom.

Affected households have automatically qualified for an automatic payment of £100, known as the "Guaranteed Standards" payment service.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: "We have visited every property that was internally flooded from the public sewer following recent storms. People whose homes flooded with sewer water will be eligible for an automatic payment of £100 plus the yearly wastewater service charge under our guaranteed standards payment system.

"Other homes flooded due to surface overland water due to highway gullies not operating should contact their local authority who have responsibility for the highway drainage system.

"No sewer system could have coped with the volume of rainfall experienced even with all the pumps fully operational. We will also place those homes onto our flood risk registry."

Despite the confusion, the payments to residents are still being made.

Affected home and business owners are still urged to contact the Millom and Haverigg Flood Support.

The group will now be based in Millom Library for the next few weeks, where residents can register their flooded properties and seek help with funding forms, housing or insurance problems.

Volunteers from the group will be available in the foyer from 1pm until 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and between 9am until noon on Saturdays.

Jenny Brumby, one of the organisers of the support group, said: "Many households have had contaminated water in them and we need the people affected to come and tell us so we can help and advise them.

"Whatever the damage and wherever the water reached, whether it was in your garden, your garage or your house, we need to know."