Flood relief fund makes pay-out

The second deadline for applications is 28 September

Cheques worth more than £400,000 are to be sent out to victims of the July floods in Gloucestershire.

Trustees of the Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund considered 618 applications and grants of up to £3,000 were agreed for the most severe cases.

So far the charity, which was set up less than a month ago, has raised more than £670,000, with more cash promised.

One of the trustees, Phil Awford, the Mayor of Tewkesbury, said the cheques would be posted out next week.

'Fund objectives'

Applications were assessed by fund trustees according to hardship and need.

"We will be assessing more applications at the start of October and would urge anyone who still wishes to apply to send in their applications by 28 September," Mr Awford added.

The Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund was set up on 7 August as a registered charity and its objective is to provide financial help to Gloucestershire residents affected by the July 2007 floods and who have suffered as a result.

The trustees meet on a regular basis and are keen to release money to those affected by the floods as soon as possible.

Earlier in July, the Prince of Wales donated an undisclosed amount to the fund.