Prince Charles, president of the British Red Cross, is to visit Cockermouth to meet volunteers and local people recovering from the devastating floods of last week.

The Prince of Wales will meet representatives of several organisations involved in the rescue and business owners hit by floods. He will also be taken to see the new shop premises at Mitchell's Auction House.

Red Cross chief executive Sir Nick Young met volunteers and staff from the charity today.

The team has been providing practical help, advice and emotional support to residents caught up in the unprecedented flooding.

Sir Nick also met staff and volunteers at the organisation's command and control centre for the floods in Newcastle, which has been operating 24 hours a day since the emergency started.

Along with the RNLI and Mountain Rescue Service, the 20-strong Red Cross swift water rescue team has taken part in more than 200 rescues and helped with 996 property searches.

Land Rover ambulances have also been supporting the local ambulance service.

Red Cross staff and volunteers at Cockermouth School rest centre helped 150 people immediately after the floods, and are working in three flood support centres across Cumbria to help people recover.

The British Red Cross, which has been responding to the floods since November 19, has also donated £20,000 from its UK Disaster Fund to the Cumbria Community Foundation.

Sir Nick said: "Our staff and volunteers have been providing practical and emotional support to the community, from rescue boats and first aid, to providing advice and a listening ear.

"It has been a huge operation, involving Red Cross staff and volunteers from across the north of England and Scotland, and it's not over yet.

"We know from our experiences in Morpeth last year that continued support, long after the waters have subsided, is essential to help a community get back on its feet."