West Cumbrian MP Sue Hayman said she was disappointed that the new floods minister did not visit Workington, Maryport and Cockermouth while she was in the county on Tuesday.

Mrs Hayman has written to Therese Coffey following her visit to Braithwaite and Whinlatter.

In her letter, the Workington MP said: "I was disappointed that while you visited several constituencies in Cumbria, you did not come to visit the towns and communities in my own constituency of Workington that were so badly affected by the flooding last winter.

“We would be more than happy to welcome you to our community, so that you can see for yourself the task at hand in terms of flood defences, the affected homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and to enable you to meet with the concerned residents, many of whom are still having problems getting insurance for their homes and businesses.

“I had a very good working relationship with your predecessor, Rory Stewart, who is my constituency neighbour, and I hope that you and I will be able to keep up this good relationship both in the constituency and through continued regular meetings in Westminster with yourself, departmental officials, the Environment Agency and the Cumbrian MPs.

"I hope we will be able to meet soon in order to discuss outstanding flooding issues in Workington constituency."