Flowers have been sent to a campsite receptionist after she was left bearing the brunt of holidaymakers' frustrations - leading to a plea from her employers for people to be kinder.

It is after Churchtown Farm at Gwithian took the decision to remain closed for this summer's tourist season, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The James family, which owns the caravan and camping site, has been providing regular updates on its website and after previously announcing it would be closed for July and August, at the end of last month they confirmed the closure would be extended to September and October also, the remainder of the 2020 season.

Explaining about their concerns earlier in the year, before the decision to close fully was taken, the family said: "Cornwall has one main hospital which is 16 miles from Gwithian.

"With the volume of people who intend to visit, this could put major stress on our local system, which is another reason why we are limiting bookings, in addition we are not guaranteeing to be open in 2020."

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The subsequent decision not to open has not gone down well with everyone, however, with the family having to go on to post a request for people not to take their frustrations out on their receptionist.

After thanking those who had supported their decision, the family said in their most recent website update: "We understand how many people were looking forward to staying here, we can only apologise.

"Please try to understand and appreciate our choice and don’t take your frustration out when contacting Jess our receptionist please.

Falmouth Packet:

The flowers outside reception

"All requests can be dealt with, and any questions you may have can be answered, we just need your patience.

"This will be the first year that the James’s campsite, Churchtown Farm, has not been open in over 50 years, we have not taken this decision lightly, but then we do feel we have put everyone’s safety first before our financial gain."

News of Jess's experiences reached Cornish campaign group Kernow Matters To Us, which was so upset that they decided to send her some flowers.

A spokesperson for the group said: "Imagine our horror to hear that Jess the receptionist there had received a 'hard time' from holiday makers wishing to stay there and venting their frustration out on her which resulted in an appeal by the site owners, the very respected Andrew James and family, asking tourists to ease up on their sometimes unpleasant demands - 'cut some slack' as our folks across the pond would say.

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"Accordingly, we at Kernow Matters To Us decided to send her and Churchtown Farm an arrangement of flowers to say that we and many others care and were concerned to hear of this.

"We hope they bring a little happiness."

The group contacted Flower Power florists in Fore Street, Redruth, which delivered an arrangement on its behalf.

"We encourage all to support Churchtown Farm when this crisis has passed, which hopefully it will, and we thank Tony and our team, Sally and 'Flower Power' and Paul of the Kernow Credit Union where our funds are managed for enabling this gesture," added the group.

"We wish Andrew and his family and Jess better fortunes next year and hopefully all the regular - and pleasant - tourists will support you and return."

A member of Churchtown Farm told the Packet: "All from Churchtown Farm are very appreciative and thankful for the flowers.

"Thank you also to the locals for the response we have had with them following our decision to stay closed."