FLOOD grant applicants only have a few more weeks left to submit invoices and have all the work completed.

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) says around 200 approved applications are still outstanding despite a deadline of September 30.

By then, applicants must have arranged with their contractor to have all approved work finished and have submitted their invoices and receipts.

A spokesperson for SLDC said: “Any outstanding Flood Resilience Grant awards of £5,000 must be claimed by the end of this month. On completion of the works, applicants must submit a fully completed payment form, invoices and or receipts and photographs of the completed work to enable us to make a payment.”

Applications for flood grants closed at the end of March. A last minute rush eventually pushed up the total number of applications in South Lakeland to 1,247.

Almost two thirds of those eligible for the government grant scheme came forward to apply for the money and SLDC approved more than £3 million worth of flood protection work.

The grants fund additional measures which improve resistance to flooding, over and above any repairs that would normally be covered by insurance. Most applicants have used the money to help install flood gates, lay concrete flooring, move electrical sockets and raise kitchen appliances.

SLDC was charged with administering the grant scheme which was announced by the government in the aftermath of the floods in December 2015.

Existing applicants who require further assistance can contact 01539 793464 or email floodgrant@southlakeland.gov.uk