A FLOOD hero has been honoured at a 10 Downing Street reception with the Prime Minister.

The Revd Nigel Adkinson, minister of Farnworth United Reformed Church, attended a reception for flood heroes on Monday, March 21.

The event was held to celebrate those who had taken a lead in their communities across the country during the Boxing Day disaster.

Mr Adkinson, who is also a minister in Radcliffe, helped to co-ordinate the community response there when the floods hit.

He said: “I was overwhelmed when I received the invitation. It was brilliant to represent Radcliffe and for the work of the community to be recognised.”

Prime Minister David Cameron spoke with the minister about the experience of the town during the floods.

Mr Adkinson, 56, said: “Mr Cameron admitted that money needed to be released to areas hit by the floods faster and recognised the hard work of the communities who came together to help.

“It helps to be able to share the story of the community and without opportunities like this their work wouldn’t be so easily acknowledged.

“The Prime Minister said that local communities helping each other out formed the backbone of the nation.”

Mr Adkinson added that he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to hear from different faith leaders from across the North West about the experiences of their communities during the devastating floods.

He said: “People were initially numb from shock, then they became distressed and vulnerable. They were therefore extremely grateful for the help they received.

“It was a real opportunity for people to come together, especially those who did not know each other, and give their time and get stuck in and help.”

On the day following the floods, United Reformed Church members visited homes without electricity to offer help to those in need.

Community groups made donations such as fresh food alongside supermarkets and local businesses.

Volunteers from the local churches used the kitchens in Radcliffe URC to prepare the food and then deliver meals to people in their homes.

During the week following the floods, they provided around 2,000 hot meals in the town.