Royal date for library staff in flood-hit Cockermouth

Cockermouth was one of the areas worst hit by the floods

Staff who set up a temporary library in a Cumbrian church when devastating floods struck, have been invited to a Royal tea party at Buckingham Palace.

Cockermouth library on the town's Main Street, was left under four feet of water with £90,000 of books lost when floods hit last November.

Staff helped set up a temporary library at nearby Christ Church just four days after the floods hit.

Six librarians and staff will attend the event on 20 July.

The temporary library proved to be a vital resource as affected families and businesses were given internet access as well as photocopying and printing facilities.

Cockermouth library re-opened on 12 April, after work to dry out the building and repair the damage.

Cumbria County Council cabinet member for library services, said: "Library staff across the county and especially in Cockermouth have gone way beyond the call of duty and have assisted with everything that has been needed or asked of them.

"They have been brilliant, and this invitation to Buckingham Palace is a thoroughly deserved reward for that."