Record-breaking cricketer Ben Stokes said he hopes he has boosted morale in Cockermouth following the town's recent flooding.

Ben smashed the record for England’s fastest Test double-century in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday.

It took the West Cumbrian just 163 balls to reach the landmark, overwhelming Ian Botham’s mark of 220 deliveries against India in 1982. Ben went on to finish on 258. 

But his thoughts in the after-match press conference were with his home town of Cockermouth where the club he played at as a junior was once more devastated by flooding.

He told reporters: "Cockermouth has been through this three or four times now. I grew up there as a kid, went to school, spent a lot of time there and I've still got really good mates there.

"They're going through a really big rebuilding stage throughout the whole town so it's nice to know I've been able to put a few smiles on some faces who have probably had a tougher time that I am out here."

Cockermouth club secretary Geoff Minshaw watched Ben take apart South Africa’s Test attack on Sunday full of pride.

And he believes Ben's achievements for England will help bring some cheer to the area, following the floods that saw damage to Cockermouth's facilities.

He said: "There’s a lot of people following him and who’ve got an interest in him. When he was back last time I know he left a lot of England shirts to the club for whatever they want to do.

"He’ll be devastated about the floods in and around Cumbria because this was his home. 

“He is a very genuine lad off the field as well, always helping the youngsters and that. We’re all obviously immensely proud of him.” 

And for one person linked with the club, Ben's achievements will be extra special.

Jon Gibson, who was Ben's' first coach at Cockermouth, revealed that a mystery benefactor helped him get extra private coaching as a youngster.

Sensing potential in the then 13-year-old, someone came forward to fund private coaching through the winter.

Jon said the identity was known only to him, his wife and the benefactor and that it would not be revealed.

Ben moved to Cumbria as a youngster with his family when dad Ged was appointed head coach of Workington Town RLFC between 2003 and 2007.

He then went on to coach Whitehaven up to 2010 and Ben attended Cockermouth School.

His proud parents Ged and Deb, now living back in Christchurch, New Zealand, stayed up all night to watch their son's heroics.

Deb, who worked for the Rising Sun Trust in Workington, said: "It was a very special feeling.

"After he got to 100 we relaxed a bit and then just enjoyed the show.

"He Skyped us that evening and we had a good chat. He was still buzzing and really pleased when we told him that his aunts and uncles and his nan had watched it with us. 

"He also said how really pleased he was for Jonny Bairstow getting his maiden test 100."

Peter French, assistant headteacher at Cockermouth School, who also saw Ben progress through the ranks, said: “I’m not at all surprised by it.

“Even when he played for us, he stood out by some distance. We took part in the Lord’s Taverners events in between 2005 and 2006 and he was up against players from public schools.

“Even then he was putting their bowling attack to the sword. There’s a lot of gratification for us as a school that one of our former pupils has gone on to achieve what he has.”