Cameron aid pledge for flooded Cornwall

Residents in parts of the county awoke to find their homes and businesses several feet under muddy water.

Heavy rains and gale force winds brought misery to St Austell, Lostwithiel, St Blazey, Bodmin, Par, Mevagissey and Luxulyan.

There were no reports of serious injuries but police declared the flooding a "major incident" with scores of residents evacuated, schools closed, the transport network hugely disrupted and train services stopped by a landslide at Lostwithiel.

Eco-attraction the Eden Project, near St Austell, also closed until Saturday at the earliest, it said.

Mr Cameron said the region had suffered a "very difficult night".

"I know that everyone is working around the clock to get this sorted," he said during Prime Minister's Questions.

"We have said we stand ready to help in any way we can.

"We have to remember when the flood waters actually start to recede, that is when many of the biggest problems begin, over insurance and getting people back into their homes, and we've got to make sure we help people in every way we can."

The region was hit on the first anniversary of the floods that devastated Cumbria.

Yesterday's rescue and clean up operations evoked memories of the 2004 floods in the north Cornwall village of Boscastle.

As well as police and fire crews, coastguard rescue teams helped with the search missions along with RAF helicopters

Cardinham, on Bodmin, recorded 18.8mm or 0.74in of rainfall in one hour and 50mm, or two inches, in nine hours.

The AA – which used specialist water rescue Land Rovers to help stricken motorists – said around 25 vehicles were recovered when drivers attempted to drive down flooded roads or were caught out by the river bursting its banks.