Cars in Boscastle were washed away by the flood waters

Millions of pounds damage was caused to towns and villages along the county's north coast after 77mm (3in) of rain fell in two hours on 16 August.

The worst hit place was Boscastle, which was hit by a 3m (10ft) wall of water crashing through it.

Money has come in from across the world to the fund set up by the Red Cross and North Cornwall District Council.

It is aimed at people from any of the villages affected by the flooding Councillor Neil Burden

As well as Boscastle, Canworthy Water, Crackington Haven and Bude, were all also hit by the flash floods.

Senior North Cornwall District Council (NCDC) member Jamie Comber, who is also a trustee of the fund, said more than �50,000 had already been paid out and that every application for money was looked at seriously.

She said: "It's really to relieve hardship and distress for anyone who suffered from the floods in the whole area.

"It ranges from people who have lost some things to people who have had cars washed away, houses damaged, businesses damaged, and had loss of earnings."

Meanwhile, an advice day is to be held on Thursday 7 October by NCDC for families and businesses affected by the floods.

Helpful advice

The council is to bring a range of organisations together so advice on a wide variety of issues is at hand, following a similar advice day held in September.

Organisations that are to attend include: the Citizens Advice Bureau; the Inland Revenue; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Business Support Task Group; representatives of the County Court and Customs and Excise.

Councillor Neil Burden said: "It is important to stress that this Advice Day is not just for Boscastle - it is aimed at people from any of the villages affected by the flooding.

"We organised a similar advice day at the beginning of September and people found it so helpful last time we are running it again.

"It is a good way of seeing all the different agencies at the same time."