FLOOD MP John Healey patted Gloucestershire councillors on the back for raising £2 million to help victims of last year's disaster.

Chairman of Cotswold District Council Sheila Jeffery was invited to Number 11 Downing Street for a special reception with chancellor Alistair Darling last week.

As a trustee of the Gloucestershire Flood Forum, Cllr Jeffery joined civic leaders from Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham to be praised for their fundraising efforts after the severe flooding last July.

The flood forum has raised money since the event to give to people who were badly affected by the disaster and the money is still pouring in.

A number of Cotswolds residents have already benefited from a cash injection.

"If you were flooded and everything seems bad and negative and then you get a cheque, it doesn't resolve anything but it is a bit of a lift," Cllr Jeffery said.

She was introduced to Alistair Darling and MP John Healey who praised the resident's spirits and the way they coped during a difficult time.

Cllr Jeffery said: 'We were stressing the great support of the people who came through in the floods. Neighbours who had not spoken to each other became friends, it really showed the best of British."

She added: "Everyone says the Cotswolds is a cosy, middle-class area that does not have any problems, but in fact we were very badly affected."