Chief Minister Howard Quayle has announced funds have been set aside to aid victims of the Laxey flood.

Residents whose homes were damaged by the flood will be able to claim £500 to help towards ’immediate recovery costs’.

The payment is designed to assist with accommodation and other expenses, and residents are invited to submit their claim immediately via the contact information below.

Mr Quayle said: ’After consulting with the Treasury Minister [Alfred Cannan], I am able to announce this payment, which I hope will provide some immediate relief for the affected residents.

’The exceptional nature of this situation requires us to move quickly and we are using the template of similar recovery schemes in the UK to provide a degree of respite.

’The devastating weather event on October 1 highlighted just how vulnerable certain parts of our island are to the elements.

’At times like this that we must stand together as a community and support those who have sustained losses.’

Since the flood last week, government support has included the provision of skips and sandbags, as well as staff to assist residents in salvaging possessions and clearing damaged items.

A community support officer has also been appointed to act as a point of contact with government, as well as sign-posting people to other agencies for help.

The river has been cleared of fallen trees and branches and a concrete structure on top of the old MER weir was removed as it acted as a trap for debris. A forestry team has checked streams and tributaries in the surrounding area, and has cleared debris through Laxey Glen.

When Manx Utilities chairman Dr Alex Allinson MHK announced the funding at the meeting of Laxey residents on Thursday night, it was met with a lukewarm reception by residents.

One woman called on Manx Utilities to either freeze the bills of residents affected or cover the costs.

She asked: ’All the work builders will be doing will be running off our electricity, why can’t you [the government] pay our bills for this to be carried out?’

Dr Allinson said that it ’is a matter for Treasury’ but that it would be raised with the department.

Residents can apply for the funding by downloading a form at https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/the-treasury/laxey-flooding/, by visiting government offices in Douglas or by calling The Treasury on 686433.