A temporary advice centre and cafe which was set up in Cockermouth following the floods is still busy and will remain open for a further two months.

Bridge Cafe was opened on Wakefield Road car park three weeks ago to help people and businesses cut off from the rest of the town by the closure of Millers Bridge and Gote Bridge. 

Council staff are on hand to provide information on issues such as housing, environmental health and benefits.

A team of 40 volunteers from Churches Together is providing free hot food and drinks, plus support, for those affected by the floods. 

More than 50 people are using it each day. 

Paul Mogford, of King's Church, said: "It's become a real social hub for people living nearby, they really appreciate it.

"It's somewhere that people can sit, chat and get advice if needed.

"There are a lot of people still living in the area who are uninsured and working to restore their homes.

"They like the chance to get out and away from the ripped plasterboard. They can encourage each other. It's engendering a great community spirit.

"It's also being used by people living elsewhere while they do up their homes."

Volunteers are also visiting people in their homes and checking how repairs are going. 

Paul added: "People there are still feeling cut off and isolated. There is lots of loneliness." 

King's Church has employed someone to run the cafe for three months. It is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

The church had to cancel its Christmas concert following the floods.

This has been rescheduled for 7.30pm, on Saturday, February 6. It will be held at Cockermouth School.