Sheryll Murray MP has welcomed the visit yesterday by Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to Cornwall. Richard Benyon has special responsibility issues relating to severe weather and fishing. Firstly Richard & Sheryll went to see for themselves coastal erosion at the Finnygook Lane car park in Portwrinkle. They were joined by Gordon Trapmore, the Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, to look at the slip and discuss the issue which is affecting many parts of the south coast of Cornwall. Sheryll said, "I wanted to show the Minister the impact these landslips are having on many in South East Cornwall. Our coast, infrastructure and in some cases homes are under threat from these earth movements. I wanted to impress upon the Minister the serious nature of this issue." The group then moved onto Seaton to see how local residents were dealing with the problems of massive amounts of rainfall and the debris brought down with it. The group was joined by local Councillors Richard Pugh and Peter Hunt. Sheryll said, "many communities have been affected by flooding and fast moving water along the South coast. This can be devastating to the residents concerned. I was pleased to speak to the Minister about this important issue and ask about financing of flood relief schemes and the issues relating to insurance." The next stop was Looe where they were met by local Councillors Brian Galipeau and Armand Toms to show the Minister the issues affecting the town. Sheryll said, "Looe has been particularly badly hit with landslips blocking roads and flooding in the town. I would like to pay tribute to the people of Looe who have kept businesses going and people in jobs in what is a difficult economic climate. The weather has simply made matters worse. I briefed the Minister on the flood plans that many towns and villages are now putting into place. I am keen that different agencies and local people come together to find local solutions for each situation." Lastly Sheryll Murray and Richard Benyon visited Mevagissey to meet with The Fishermen's Mission which provides emergency support and care to fishermen and their families. They were joined by Conservative Parliamentary spokesman for the area Steve Double and local Councillor Denise Mutton. Sheryll said, "I know only too well the fantastic work the Mission undertake and I can never thank them enough for the work they undertake. I wanted to ensure that the Minister was fully briefed on their current work." Ends Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428 Pictured: Sheryll Murray MP & Richard Benyon MP visit the South coast of Cornwall.