WHEN Prince Charles visited Muchelney in February, during the worst of the devastating winter floods, he donned wellies to be transported around the village by tractor and boat.

The Prince of Wales returned in the glorious summer sunshine to meet some of those affected and see how the village – which had been marooned by floodwater for several weeks - has recovered.

Residents, politicians, business people and farmers gathered at wedding venue The Almonry Barn to meet His Royal Highness, and share their stories.

Mike Curtis, whose farm was among those badly flooded at the start of the year, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful that he has come to visit us. There has been a massive difference in terms of the recovery of the area.

“We had around three months of floodwater and now you can definitely tell how much it has improved. It’s great that Prince Charles has found the time to come back and talk to us about it.”

Matilda Temperley, a photographer from Burrow Hill Cider Farm, presented Prince Charles with a copy of her book, ‘Under the Surface’ – a collection of photographs that she took during the floods.

Matilda said: “One of the books was auctioned off in aid of the Somerset Levels Relief Fund and went for over £300.

“The good thing about the first time Prince Charles came to visit us was that he brought so much press and publicity with him.

“Him coming back has brought more press again and we want to show people that Somerset is open for business.”