For many people in Bury, and across the North of England, Boxing Day this year will only be remembered for one thing – the devastating floods which have resulted in misery for thousands.

I particularly want to thank all those, whether working for the local authority or the emergency services, who have done all they can to ease a terrible situation. Inevitably people will look to blame the Council or the Government but on a day when every river in Lancashire rose to record levels it is difficult to conceive of any measures that would have prevented all the flood damage that has occurred.