Exmoor give away to help flood stricken families and businesses on Somerset Levels

PHOTO CALL: WED 26 MARCH, 11 AM PORLOCK VISITOR CENTRE

Wednesday, 26 March: Families and businesses affected by flooding on the Somerset Levels are being offered the chance to take a free holiday break away for a couple of days thanks to the generosity of tourism businesses the other side of the county, on Exmoor and the surrounding areas.

The Exmoor Tourism Partnership, which consists of a number of organisations including Exmoor Tourist Association, Exmoor National Park Authority, West Somerset Council, North Devon + and Somerset County Council, announced the initiative today at the Porlock Visitor Centre.

Accommodation owner John Stenner who runs a Bed & Breakfast in Porlock came up with the idea and approached the Porlock Visitor Centre, John said, "I was moved by the footage of people on the Somerset Levels that has been on our TV screens for night after night and was so thankful that here in West Somerset we have been almost unaffected by the floods and so I wanted to see if there was something we could do to help."

Although the worst of the floods are now over, many businesses will have months of disruption ahead as the great clear up begins. Denise Sage, Manager of the Porlock Visitor Centre said, "When John spoke to us about asking businesses to donate a couple of nights free accommodation to people who had been affected by the flooding we were only too happy to help and we have been delighted by the response.

"To start with we had a tremendous response from businesses in and around Porlock, and there are now more than 50 businesses involved from Porlock and the whole of Exmoor and West Somerset; it is not just accommodation providers, we have offers of free travel thanks to the West Somerset Railway, free meals at restaurants, visits to Dunster Castle and even an all day photography safari."

 The Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG) will be recommending families from the area who could benefit from the initiative. Today the very first family heard that they would be enjoying a two night break at luxurious Rose Bank Guest House in Porlock.

Tourism businesses in the area who would like to become involved should contact Denise Sage at Porlock Visitor Centre on 01643 863150.

Further information: Robert Downes, Tourism Officer, West Somerset Council (rdownes@westsomerset.gov.uk / 01984 635 249).

For further press information, interviews or hi res images, contact Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Porlock Visitor Centre, West End, Porlock, Somerset, TA24 8QD. Tel: (01643) 863150

March 2014 (VE 02)