Cornish tourism battered

THE devastation caused by the Boscastle flood could cost Cornish tourism businesses millions of pounds, according to Devon and Cornwall Business Council chairman Tim Jones.

Jones said there was concern bookings for next summer could be hit unless the area is seen to have recovered, with the immediate effect of the floods likely to be a drop off in trade in September and October.

"It’s very damaging as Cornwall has worked very hard to build up the shoulder season,” said Jones.

Cottage agency Helpful Holidays owner Moray Bowater said one of its families could not be contacted for 24 hours. It has six properties in Boscastle.

A spokeswoman for Blakes ountry Cottages said a couple of properties in the area were flooded. Holidaymakers were being relocated free of charge to similar accommodation.

Hoseasons director Yvonne Borg said one family staying in a cottage complex near Bude had to be put up in a hotel.