More than a week after floods devastated parts of Cornwall many businesses and homeowners are still trying to return to normal.

Although several businesses opened again this week, others were still counting the cost of the damage.

Owners of Lostwithiel Bakery Barry Green and Christine Feenerty told the Cornish Times they were expecting the clean-up to cost them thousands of pounds. They realised their business was flooding shortly after 3am last Wednesday as they worked but there was little they could do, and now they face the prospect of totally refurbishing the bakery.

'It is only a small community and every day we are not in business will make it harder,' said the couple.

'Everyone has been really supportive and we have had people bringing us tea and coffee. We want to say a big thank you to everyone. We were just lucky that the river didn't burst its bank because there would have been people hurt. It would have been a catastrophe.'

Across the road at the Old Palace, Melanie Askew and her husband Joe have owned the business for the past seven years. They were hoping to re-open today (Friday).

Melanie said: 'We have had an awful lot of help so the water didn't reach the raised level of the shop. We couldn't have done what we did without the help of the people who came to help – we didn't even know some of them. We would like to say thank you to the local people – it was a real Blitz spirit.'

Among other businesses affected was the Fantasia Bridal Shop in Lostwithiel which was visited by Prince Charles. The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron visited flood hit areas on Friday.

The efforts of the community have been praised, with many people offering accommodation and support.

Like many other places, Lostwithiel Community Centre opened its doors to people affected by the floods.

Workers have put in extra hours free of charge to help the community and free refreshments have been available. Worker Pat Wilton has lived in the town for around 50 years and has seen floods devastate the town before.

She said: 'I have seen people before going all over the town in boats but I have not seen the water running down hill like it was. It has been really bad and a lot of businesses have been affected. It is so traumatic and people have been looking really worried. I am so proud of the people of Lostwithiel – I had 14 people phone into the centre following the floods offering accommodation.'

Cornwall Council and partner agencies continue to provide guidance to those affected, with information centres set up in several areas including Lostwithiel and St Blazey.

A Cornwall Flood Fund has been set up by the Cornwall Community Foundation, which will be working with a range of other agencies to give out small emergency grants.