OUR experience in York, after our narrow escape in the floods of 2000, gives us all an insight into just what horror and devastation is being faced by the people of Cumbria, who were not so lucky.

The offer of a million pounds aid by the Prime Minister seems sufficient to grab the headline, but not enough to even replace a bridge let alone help repair the wrecked towns.

My advice to the good citizens of Cumbria is to get it in writing, get it in cash and get it paid up front before the next headline opportunity comes rolling along.

Initiatives come swiftly by, Designed to catch the public eye, They swiftly choke and quickly die, So then another one comes by.

JA Whitmore, Springfield Road, York.