THREE years after Storm Desmond struck, devastating communities across the county, we are no better protected - say local flood action groups.

People whose homes were flooded in 2015 are anxious and upset by the lack of support and funding.

A Papcastle farmer who has battled for years to have land reinstated is frustrated by the lack of progress.

"We are in no better position than we were three years ago, there's no more protection, anxiety remains high," said Sue Cashmore, of Cockermouth Flood Action Group.

"The major problem is funding and until they change the structure a small town like ours is not going to get any money."

The Derwent Catchment Group - which represents Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick and Braithwaite - is lobbying for more funding on the basis that Cumbria and its landscape is unique and cannot be assessed in the same way other flood zones are.

"In Cockermouth we are more about the town's emergency response group (CERG) and making sure we are prepared for a flood," said Ms Cashmore.

The group had an exercise recently, trialling new radios and signing up more householders and volunteers.

"It went well and we are really grateful for all the volunteers but we need some more. People also need to make sure they're registered so that we can help them if necessary," she said.

Lynne Jones is chairman of Keswick Flood Action Group.

She met with United Utilities this week and will meet with the Environment Agency next week to discuss Thirlmere.

"It is key for Keswick and has a knock-on effect on Cockermouth and Workington. Historically we believe that Keswick does not flood if Thirlmere has space. During Storm Desmond the reservoir was overflowing before the storm even hit," said Mrs Jones.

"We have argued and argued for there to be three metres of space as this would stop properties flooding but that is not happening. This morning there was 90 centimetres."

Some Keswick people have already installed their flood gates.

"We should not have to live like this. Everyone is frightened, people are not recovering, no one is our champion," said Mrs Jones.

"There's no money and nothing has changed."

Robert Jackson has a farm in Papcastle, beside the River Derwent. After the 2009 floods he spent £40,000 reinstating land which had been swept away.

The 2015 floods also destroyed about one and a half acres of land.

He has battled since then to have the land reinstated and is indebted to Workington MP Sue Hayman and county councillor Rebecca Hanson for their support.

"It's an absolute disgrace, I have fought for grants and offered to contribute 20,000 tons of gravel. There are all these agencies but they are not working together," he said.

A county council spokesman said: “The council is committed to working in partnership with others to restore the riverbank. This work was planned in September but high water levels prevented the necessary access. We continue to work with the land owner to secure funding for this work.”