A year on from last year’s devastating floods and things are on the up but more help is needed.

The signs of the flood are still obvious as you pass through town.

Rubbish remains strewn in yards and flood marks line walls.

The one thing the town isn’t lacking is spirit.

Photographer Jim Aldersey and I spent most of Tuesday moving about the town.

Everyone – and I honestly mean everyone – we spoke to was lovely and obliging.

Charlton is a town that appreciates the support it receives.

You could not have had nicer service from food outlets.

People genuinely want to help.

That is why it is so important that people visit.

Repair and recovery costs limit the amount of disposable income Charlton residents have to spend in their town.

But without people spending money, the town suffers.

The lack of income means that businesses close and residents leave.

There was little to celebrate as the town marked a year since the floods.

People remain homeless or, in many cases, in houses that lack kitchens and essential services.

Residents live from boxes, battling through the summer’s heat and the winter’s chill as best they can.

There is a long way to go for Charlton to get back on its feet.

The least we could do is spend a little time helping them out.