A COMMUNITY fund has shown its support to residents hit by recent flooding by handing out Tesco gift cards.

Freak weather led to widespread flooding in Millom and Haverigg at the end of September with many homes badly damaged by the onslaught.

One of the worst-hit areas was Millom, with many locals saying the rain was the worst they had seen in a lifetime.

As the waters rapidly rose, families and neighbours battled to keep it away from their properties but many were unable to cope with the sudden and sheer volume of rain.

This week, £50 Tesco gift cards have been distributed by the Copeland Community Fund as the Millom and Haverigg communities continue the clean-up.

Any families affected were invited to collect gift cards this week and more than 130 turned up to public sessions at the Tin Chapel and Millom Network Centre on Thursday.

David Moore, chairman of Copeland Community Fund, said: "We have had a very busy morning distributing the gift cards purchased by the fund. These will be active from tomorrow afternoon.

"This is just one way the fund has agreed to support this fantastically resilient community. We have also agreed to provide £25,000 to Millom Town Council for the Millom Disaster Fund."

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie said the town's community has been "shining through" since the devastating floods earlier this month.

"More than 300 homes have been affected and my heart goes out to them," he said.

"But amid the heartbreaking scenes, Millom's community spirit has been shining through. I didn't doubt this for a second - I know how strong the Millom community is - and I know that Millom folk will get all the support they need from their fellow townsfolk and beyond as they continue on the road to recovery.

"As soon as the rain hit, the community kicked into gear and there were tremendous examples of folk looking out for one another wherever I went."