There were some spectacular photographs in the Friday, July 7, edition of the Worcester News - not least the front-page picture of people wading through the river that was once Blackpole Road.

Sent in by readers using their mobile phones, the dramatic snaps capture a city in the grip of extreme weather conditions, after torrential rain led to flash floods that left swathes of Worcester under water.

But half a month's rainfall in half an hour wasn't extreme enough for the company once affectionately known as the Pru.

Staff at the insurance giant told Worcester teacher Peter Milton they had no reports of weather that would warrant a payout, even though water leaking through his roof caused damage estimated at £400.

Last week's storm - and we'll call it that even though the Prudential refuses to - caused a significant amount of damage to homes and businesses throughout Worcester.

The effects are still being felt, with two pubs in Worcester forced to keep their doors shut as the

clean-up continues.

But the effects of the floods could be even more damaging to the economic life of this city if the insurance firms try to sidle out of their responsibilities.

People like Mr Milton buy insurance policies in good faith on the understanding that they'll be covered for events such as these.

The Prudential has suggested Mr Milton supplies a copy of a newspaper to prove the weather was as bad as he said it was.

We'd be happy to oblige.