Charles visits flood-hit Hebden Bridge - just as new deluge arrives

THE Prince of Wales travelled to flood-hit Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire today - only to be delayed by new storms.

Charles was due to arrive at 11.10am for a whistlestop tour of the town, but he arrived in torrential rain, an hour late for the visit.

Hebden Bridge was badly hit by the floods which devastated parts of West Yorkshire and Lancashire two weeks ago.

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Some of the damage to the town was still visible today with sandbags and boarding evident on many streets.

Charles began the visit at Central Street Infants and Nursery School where he met staff and pupils and examined the flood-damaged classrooms.

A month’s worth of rain fell on the Calder Valley area of West Yorkshire in a few hours on the night of Friday June 22. This resulted in severe flooding in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden as the River Calder hit its highest recorded level.

More than 200 households and domestic properties were badly affected by the flooding.

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Charles spent around 20 minutes chatting to staff, pupils and members of the community who helped put the school and other businesses and premises back on track.

He risked getting soaked as he left the school and crossed a road to call in at several shops in the town, including the Yorkshire Soap Co and The Pennine Wine and Cheese Company.

He also took a walk on a bridge over the swollen and fast-flowing River Calder to chat to members of the emergency services.

He later attended a private meeting with council bosses, business leaders and other dignitaries in the Town Hall before leaving the town just over an hour after he arrived.

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Charles was accompanied on his visit by representatives from his charity Business in the Community to see how the Business Emergency Recovery Group can help local businesses recover from the damage caused by the floods.

The Prince is President of Business in the Community (BITC).