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Storm Desmond: Carlisle and Cockermouth host festivals despite floods Storm Desmond: Almost 10,000 people attend Cockermouth festival to support flood victims
(about 5 hours later)
Festivities planned in Cumbria this weekend are under way despite the devastation of Storm Desmond. Almost 10,000 people braved heavy rain and road closures to attend a food festival and show support for Cumbria's flood victims.
Organisers of the Taste Festival in Cockermouth and Carlisle's Christmas Fayre said they wanted to show the county's "resilience" a week after the storm hit. Organisers of the Taste Festival in Cockermouth said the event usually attracted just 2,000 visitors.
Meanwhile, boxer Amir Khan has pledged his support and is visiting Carlisle to give out hot meals and toys. They said they were "uplifted and overwhelmed" by the crowds and had to double trade stalls from 40 to 80.
Chancellor George Osborne has also promised a further £2m to help victims. Meanwhile, boxer Amir Khan visited Carlisle with charity workers to hand out hot meals and toys.
The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning, and a spokesman said that although the forecaster was not expecting floods as severe as those seen last weekend it would not take "an awful lot of rain" for there to be a risk of rivers overflowing.
More than 70 flood warnings remain in place across the region, although no severe flood warnings which are classed as a "danger to life".
Affected areas included large parts of East Lancashire including Pendle, the Ribble Valley and Burnley, and large areas of West Yorkshire including Leeds, Dewsbury, Batley, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Cleckheaton.
Elsewhere, flood warnings were also issued in Preston, York and Rochdale.
Meanwhile Chancellor George Osborne has also promised a further £2m to help victims.
Mr Khan, two-time world light welterweight champion, said his visit was part of a joint operation with his charity, the Amir Khan Foundation, and humanitarian charity Penny Appeal.Mr Khan, two-time world light welterweight champion, said his visit was part of a joint operation with his charity, the Amir Khan Foundation, and humanitarian charity Penny Appeal.
He said: "The UK community has been so supportive of me and this is just a small way I can give back.He said: "The UK community has been so supportive of me and this is just a small way I can give back.
"Once the flood water disappears, the hard work really starts, as families, most with children, return to severely-damaged homes and destroyed possessions. "Once the flood water disappears, the hard work really starts, as families, most with children, return to severely-damaged homes and destroyed possessions."
"We will be giving out toys to kids, as well as hot meals. We will also be trying to give out moral support as people have had a very tough time." He said he wanted to give people "morale support" through a tough time.
The Cumbria 2015 Flood Appeal, launched online on 5 December, has now reached £1m - a third of its target.The Cumbria 2015 Flood Appeal, launched online on 5 December, has now reached £1m - a third of its target.
Chancellor George Osborne, meanwhile, has said an agreement to meet up to £1m of the cash generated by Cumbria Foundation's Flood Appeal will be increased to £2m and widened to include the Community Foundation for Lancashire's Flood Recovery Fund's Appeal.Chancellor George Osborne, meanwhile, has said an agreement to meet up to £1m of the cash generated by Cumbria Foundation's Flood Appeal will be increased to £2m and widened to include the Community Foundation for Lancashire's Flood Recovery Fund's Appeal.
Mr Osborne said: "The Government is determined to stand by the communities affected by these devastating floods." He said: "The government is determined to stand by the communities affected by these devastating floods."
Marie Whitehead, director of CN Events organiser of the Cockermouth's Taste Festival, said: "We want to promote this county's resilience, while respecting the fact these floods have, tragically, claimed a life, and so many people have been forced out of their homes and businesses. Darren Ennis, of CN Events organiser of the Cockermouth's Taste Festival, said: "It has been an uplifting day - thousands have come despite the rain and cold. It's been rammed with visitors from all over the county.
"If we can bring a temporary smile to people's faces as they go through this ordeal, then that's what it's all about." "In times of adversity it proves the people of Cumbria have spirit."
It is the second time Cockermouth has been under water in recent years as it was badly affected by the 2009 storms.It is the second time Cockermouth has been under water in recent years as it was badly affected by the 2009 storms.
The Christmas fayre, which is on all weekend in Carlisle city the centre, is offering free activities including Christmas decoration and drama workshops, as well as food and drink stalls. Worst affected areas during Storm Desmond have included Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael's in Lancashire.
The Environment Agency said it was checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers ahead of a predicted 2.5in of rain on Saturday. Carlisle City Council said that from midnight busy, Warwick Road would be closed for seven hours for the emergency clearance of ruined furniture and other storm debris.
River levels in the county remain high having deluged homes and businesses for five days after Storm Desmond. Local farmers have volunteered to help the council with the clear-up using their own tractors and trailers.
An agency spokesman said: "We're not expecting flooding like last weekend, we can see where the rain is coming in and where the ground is saturated but (its difficult) to know precisely where the rain will fall, so we will be reviewing the forecasts and issuing flood warnings and alerts as soon as necessary." The Met Office said rain would finally clear on Saturday evening especially in Carlisle, but a severe frost was expected.
A yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday was issued by the Met Office. It is predicted rain in the county will be light on Sunday with hill snow later.
Worst affected areas include Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael's in Lancashire.