Frustrated flood victims in Glenridding demanded answers when they met with the Environment Agency last night.

About 30 people attended the village's public hall and were given the opportunity to comment on two draft flood investigation reports covering both Glenridding and Patterdale and the neighbouring valleys.

However they expressed concern that information for some areas - in particular Grisedale Beck - had been omitted.

Dale Gibbons, environmental recovery manager at the Environment Agency, explained that it was important local communities continued to provide feedback on the impact the flooding between December 5 and 10 - and between December 21 and 22 - had on the area so that relevant improvements could be made.

Mr Gibbons also said that to date, 20,000 tonnes of gravel has been removed from Glenridding Beck and that the Environment Agency will also be looking to make improvements further upstream.

He said: "We need to look at what ways we can adjust the watercourse. If we were to make it straight and deep, then it's just going to make the water flow down faster.

"By meandering it, which is something we need to consider, we're slowing down the process."

Mr Gibbons also spoke about the problems that had arisen with communication in the area following the floods, when many residents were left unable to use both their landline and mobile phones.

He said: "We need to make sure that the infrastructure is more resilient and can withstand further flooding. We know how vital communication is and that's something that we will be looking at."

However many residents asked Mr Gibbons why it had taken the Environment Agency eight months to compile data regarding the floods and were keen to ask why the impact the devastation had on local businesses had not been taken into account. Mr Gibbons said that it would be published in a separate report.

Rob Shepherd, of the Patterdale Parish Flood Group and chair of the parish council, said: "We saw what happened in January. What would be best is if there was some empowerment for people in the area so that they could take some of the work on.

"We've collated data ourselves of what happened and if we were able to have some help then we could be getting on with it."