Prayer and action for the flooded: Archbishop sees flood aftermath in Hull

He assured Doreen Thompson, 78, of his prayers when she showed him her ruined ground-floor flat at Churchfields Residential Home in Hessle.

Later, he visited Hull's emergency control centre at Festival House, with the Bishop of Hull.

At St Michael and All Angels' Church, Orchard Park, Archbishop Sentamu saw local authority staff and volunteers at work in the chuch hall co-ordinating relief afforts across the north of the City.

Continuing to Parks Primary School on Courtway Road, he met children and staff whose homes have been devastated by flood waters.

Responding to local concerns that Hull had been "forgotten" in the early stages of the Government's flood relief efforts, he said, "This place was bombed severely during the Second World War and there are some people who still remember how slow the response was. This time we don't want to forget about Hull.

"Homes are ruined and people are homeless but the spirit of the community is just amazing. You would have expected to find a lot of anger, but no."

"The act of God I want to see here and across Yorkshire is the work being done by so many to clean up and repair the terrible damage done here.

"This is a resilient City."

Before leaving Hull, the Archbishop met briefly with Floods Minister John Healy. He said, "The minister was listening and hearing and following my meeting with him I feel very hopeful.

"The priorities are getting people back in their homes, reopening schools and really acting quickly.

"I think the Government response was slow getting off at the start and the council and other agencies took the burden.

"However, I think people will be impressed with the plans that will now be put in place."

Mr Healy said, "As the minister appointed to co-ordinate the Government's contribution to the recovery efforts, I wanted to hear directly from the Archbishop what his immediate impressions were and what action he felt was needed."