A number of businesses have been devastated by flooding and will be out of action for Christmas this year in Hayle.

The timing couldn't have been worse for the flash floods that hit the town centre this week leaving businesses and homes underwater.

The manager at Tolvaddon fire station said that there was around 3ft of water in the worst places and that the problem was excelled by busy traffic in the street causing water to be pushed into adjacent buildings.

Businesses told Cornwall Live that it was the worst flooding they had seen for years and that it would set them back for Christmas if not close them up entirely until the New Year, and in some cases even later.

One business owner said it took only ten minutes for the streets to fill with water.

The main office for Penwith Care, which provides care for the elderly and disabled, will have to be completely stripped out and CEO Dana Deer says it couldn't have come at a worse possible time of year.

Dana Deer said: "We are affected very badly, our office is not workable but we are fortunate to have two offices and the other one has not been affected so we are preparing and moving desks around and getting setup.

"We have to rip the flooring up because of the underfloor heating which will clearly have to be replaced and we will have to deal with insurers. Its very bad timing, nothing will be delivered in time we will have to wait until the New Year.

"The team have been absolutely fantastic and none of the carers couldn't get to the clients. It's a wonderful team and they have been absolutely fantastic."

Within ten minutes of the heavy rain starting she says that most of Fore Street was underwater, and the staff working in the office hadn't realised initially and were working at their desks as water started pouring in through the entrance.

Dana Deer believes that the office wont be back up and running until the end of January because of underlying water damage and says it is a shame but they are keeping positive.

Andrew Willetts, the pub landlord of Copperhouse Inn told Cornwall Live yesterday that it was the worst flooding he had seen in Hayle in forty years, calling it "devastating".

Because of the flooding they are very likely to have to close up over the entire Christmas period, the pubs busiest time of year.

Copperhouse Post Office in Hayle is another of the businesses badly affected by the flooding. A video tweeted by a member of staff showed the post office floor covered in the murky brown flood water.

The owner and manager of Eye Candy hair and beauty salon said: "We are very lucky and business is open as usual. there has been a lot of businesses affected but we fortunately have not."

Just next door is The Barber Shop, which was affected by the flood waters but was able to stay open yesterday.

There are a number of businesses based on the street that seem to have disconnected phone lines and are presumed to be out of action due to the damage.