Floods impact on businesses takes its toll

Another 10,000 business were affected by power cuts, road closures and the impact of the floods on the supply chain.

Chamber Policy and Represent-ation manager Helen Ranu said: "Within Sheffield more than 75 per cent of the businesses affected fall into the mid-range category with more than five employees and less than 100.

"A significant proportion of these are manufacturing businesses in the Don Valley and Chapeltown areas.

"We are working closely with a number of agencies and affected businesses to assess the impact of the floods and plan the most effective and timely response."

Meadowhall accessories store Claire's reopens on Sunday August 26 following a refit after damage caused by floods at the centre.

The

Environment Agency is to widen the banks of the River Dearne to protect a village against flooding.

Engineers have designed improvements to a 270m section in Darton, Barnsley, to make the banks better able to withstand erosion from extreme water levels.

They will also continue to carry out annual maintenance, including channel clearance and grass cutting.

Darton was twice hit by flooding in June and has been under water on a number of occasions in recent years.

Chesterfield

residents whose homes were damaged in June's floods have only until the end of this month to claim their share of a council relief fund.

More than 100,000 has already paid out by the council to over 250 householders. The money has come from the 200,000 Chesterfield Council obtained from the Government's Flood Recovery Grant Scheme.

But the council believes there are still people who have not made a claim - and say they must do so by the end of August.

South

Yorkshire's flood fund has received 20,000 from the newly-merged Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives, which made a joint donation to the fund which helps individuals, families and groups affected by the disaster. South Yorkshire Community Foundation is distributing grants from the Flood Disaster Relief Fund and has already made more than 500 payments. For more information about how to make a donation call 01709 868000.