Prince Charles tours flood-hit Cumbria

Fri Nov 27 2009 16:25:20

The Prince of Wales has offered his sympathy to victims of flooding in Cumbria.

Charles is on a two-day tour of the region spreading the message that Cumbria is "open for business" amid fears over local economy.

Cumbria Tourism, the lead organisation for an industry that employs a fifth of people in the county, said coverage of the floods has triggered "knee-jerk cancellations" despite the fact that many areas have been largely unaffected by the bad weather.

In an article published in local newspapers, Charles said: "I have nothing but the greatest possible sympathy for all those affected by the appalling floods.

"I can well imagine the devastation these will have caused but as a regular visitor to Cumbria I have personal experience of the strength of the community spirit which exists in this most beautiful of counties.

"It has been incredibly heartening to see how everyone - from the emergency services and volunteer groups - have worked together to provide the kind of mutual support necessary to get through this most terrible of ordeals."

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