Prince Charles of Great Britain urges Brits to Holiday in flooded areas

Price Charles of Great Britain 

United Kingdom saw the second wettest winter on record, with communities in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Scotland deluged by 529mm of rainfall.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts and other attractions were destroyed

Hotels, bed and breakfasts and other attractions were destroyed - but Charles hailed their resilience in ensuring they were "open for business" in time for the holiday season.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the Prince acknowledged the difficulty facing rural communities "with both shifts in the wider economy and the ever more extreme vagaries of the weather, thanks to dangerously accelerating climate change".

And he called on tourists to do their bit.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the best way to help flooded areas recover is by people continuing to visit and stay in these beautiful places in order to keep the vital local businesses going," the Prince wrote.

Charles backed Visit England's Countryside is Great campaign, which is encouraging people to choose "staycations" over foreign trips.

"From first-hand experience I know this initiative will give a much-needed and welcome boost to our rural economies," said Charles, who along with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall visited the flood-hit village of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire last month.