Residents of Keswick and Cockermouth whose homes were left uninhabitable following last year’s floods have started to move back in with help from housing provider Your Derwent & Solway.

More than 30 properties belonging to the organisation had to be vacated after Storm Desmond battered Cumbria in December.

Most of the affected properties were two-story flats, but a number of ground floor flats, houses and bungalows were also hit.

The restoration work is now in its final stages.

While work was being carried out some people moved in with family and friends while 19 residents were temporarily housed at Greta Gardens.

Odette Atkinson was forced out of her home on St Kentigern’s Close, Keswick, but has now returned.

She said: “Derwent & Solway have been fantastic. The work has been carried out really well, they have been very helpful and it is everything we could have hoped for. It was so lovely to move back to our home and I am very happy.”

Amanda Star, head of Your Derwent & Solway, said: “The impact of the flood waters in Cumbria was devastating, and I would also like to thank all of our staff and partners who have worked so hard to support our residents since December, it was a real team effort from everyone involved.”

The Property Maintenance People, carpet store Jeff Taylor of Workington and the North Lakes Foodbank all supported residents.