Last updated at 06:36, Friday, 18 December 2009

ABOUT £1.7 million will be handed out to Cumbrian farmers to help them recover from the floods.

The Government announced that around £500,000 is being made available to remove debris and £1.2 million will be available next year for rebuilding.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who visited farmers in Lorton earlier this month, announced the scheme this week. He said the money had been released after he had seen the devastation and he was lobbied by Workington MP Tony Cunningham.

Farmers can claim up to £6,800 to clean up their fields, but more money will be available if needed.The funding is available through Defra’s rural development programme and will be delivered by Local Action Groups and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 17 December 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk