We have come a long way.

Some summer visitors did not even realise that the county had suffered so badly back in December.

But there is still a lot to do.

Many homes have not been restored, there are still hundreds of families who will see a second Christmas and a second New Year in a stranger’s house, not their home.

And it is not just the physical scars of Storm Desmond that continue to have long-lasting effects.

There is still an understandable anxiety for many whenever there is a heavy downpour.

Many fear that we will now be pushed to the back of the queue for any further flood works.

The world and the country have moved on.

Politicians are more concerned with Brexit than whether we have done enough to stem the flow of floodwaters from wrecking our homes, businesses and lives once again.

We have a new government with a new team of ministers, including a new floods minister.

Therese Coffey visited the county briefly in August.

It would be a welcome sight for her to return early in the New Year to visit all those areas that suffered most.

It would be good for her to assure us that the work still needed to withhold and manage water at times of flood will be done and explain how it will be done.

It would boost confidence to hear her say there was a fully integrated system between government departments and agencies to ensure this.

It would be a massive help if she could tell us that the Flood Re: insurance policy applies to small and medium businesses as well as domestic householders.

We have recovered magnificently from last December, but there is still work to do.