A RETIRED couple whose Kendal home was left sodden and contaminated after Storm Desmond say the kindness of friends, family and strangers has got them through the difficult weeks.

Mike Longcake, 72, and wife Margaret, 65, have praised the "very good" help received from South Lakeland District Council, in particular housing adviser Pam Beeston who has helped to keep a roof over their heads and kept in touch regularly.

After evacuating their Mint Close home of 45 years, the couple stayed with good friends Chris and Paul Nacey before being placed at Kendal's Premier Inn by their insurance company.

Then, a few days before Christmas, help arrived from Ian and Jane Gregg, two complete strangers who responded to SLDC's appeal for accommodation by offering their Brigsteer barn conversion and their car (the Longcakes lost their Corsa in December 5's flood).

"We were overwhelmed that somebody could open their house to us; that someone who has never met us before would just give over the keys," said retired BT engineer Mr Longcake, who is having treatment for a brain tumour and sleep apnoea. "They are lovely people."

Richard Machin, SLDC communications officer, said it had been "even more important" to find somewhere suitable because of Mr Longcake's health. "We have since found them some longer-term accommodation, back in central Kendal, which suits them better being nearer to friends and services etc, in a second-home property owned by a man from Brighton who also came forward to offer his help when we appealed for accommodation."

Retired teacher Paul Lyth, who owns the cottage off Highgate, told the Gazette: "Second-home owners don't have a very good reputation and I couldn't rest easy; I would just have felt guilty, knowing the house was empty two or three weeks a month. I feel at least we've done something, because I love Kendal and the Lake District."

Keen climber Mr Lyth added: "It's not totally altruistic because the insurance company are paying the rent. But they they can stay as long as they need to; they don't need to worry."

With help from SLDC's Pam Beeston, a six-month tenancy agreement has been drawn up, giving the Longcakes peace of mind while their home dries out. Meanwhile, they are getting council tax relief and the £500 flood recovery grant administered by SLDC.

Rather than throwing everything into a skip, the couple have salvaged what they could by hosing down bicycles, cleaning glassware in a friend's dishwasher and drying out family photos.

"I think we are of that age group where we are not the throwaway society," said retired barmaid Mrs Longcake. "We've got over the shock of it now, especially now we've moved into here and we're not thinking, where are we going to go next month?"

As the couple - parents to David and Jackie - grapple with complex insurance claims, Mr Longcake said the flood had taken its toll and, at times, "I feel 100". But they are determined to get back home and put the flood behind them. "We just want to get on with it and get it dried out. Let's put a nice fresh look on it and put the house right."