Businesses affected by a 17-week road closure fear the length of the closure could put people off shopping in the area. The £750,000 scheme to alleviate flooding in West Looe started on January 11 and is being carried out by South West Water.

It will see new sewer pipes installed along Fore Street.

'It is definitely having an affect – people aren't really coming over here,' said the owner of Patsy Florist, Elaine Libby. 'January is a quiet time anyway and we need all the help we can get.'

For more on this see this week's Cornish Times.