Helston-based disaster relief charity ShelterBox has sent 200 of its boxes to Bolivia following the worst floods to hit the country in 25 years.

More than 40 people have been killed and thousands left homeless after two months of extreme weather left huge swathes of the South American country under water.

An estimated 350,000 people have been affected by the flooding and a national state of emergency is still in force. Over the past couple of days, water levels have started to recede, but it is estimated that 40 per cent of the region is still flooded.

An initial consignment of 200 boxes - containing tents, blankets, mosquito nets and other emergency items - has been despatched by ShelterBox, which is run by the Helston-Lizard Rotary Club with support from rotary clubs worldwide.

The aid, which will provide temporary accommodation for up to 2,000 people, was initially flown to Florida and then handed over to the Bolivian state airline to be flown the rest of the way.

A two-man ShelterBox response team is also in Bolivia, working with local Rotarians, the country's civil defence agency and the Bolivian Air Force to arrange distribution of the aid and further assess the situation.