AN emergency response group set up to help flood victims in Cockermouth will be holding an exercise in town this weekend.

Cockermouth Emergency Response Group (CERG) was set up two years ago by Churches Together in the Cockermouth Area, the town's Rotary club and flood action group and is supported by the borough and county councils.

It was set up a year after Storm Desmond devastated parts of the town - and aims to ensure the community is better prepared for flooding and other large-scale emergencies.

On Saturday, the group will be running a simulated flood alert. It will be visiting homes in flood zones and trying out radios it has been given by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team.

It will also be trialling some portable pumps.

CERG has about 70 volunteers and 120 households signed up but is hoping to enlist more.

People are invited to sign up at Christ Church Rooms, on South Street, from 9.30am to noon.

Paul Mogford said: "We'll be visiting all the main flood zone areas - Gote Road, Derwentside Gardens, Waterloo Street and Rubby Banks.

"We will be asking homeowners to sign up so we can help them if needed.

"There will be lots of people in hi-vis jackets but we don't want people to panic, it's an exercise.

"We're hoping it will encourage volunteers and households to sign up. We'd love to hear from more volunteers."

The group has created a paid role of administrator and taken on Jo Crozier, of Cockermouth.

"There's quite a lot of admin which needs to be done. It's also important that we keep in touch with volunteers and households," said Paul.

"We want to prepare for the future and make sure everything is working fine."

The group has an emergency plan and access to secure storage, where furniture can be moved to if needed.

The volunteers are able to do everything, from making hot drinks and food to vital emergency administration and physically assisting people.

Anyone wanting to help or register their home can contact Paul at chair@cerg.org.uk.