Minister in flood helpline announcement

A new website and helpline will be set up to advise property owners on practical measures they can take in order to prevent serious flood damage, the government has announced.

Environment minister Hilary Benn revealed the measure today, one of a number of moves made in response to severe floods which hit many parts of the country last year.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will spend £125,000 on setting up the service, which will be run jointly with the Environment Agency.

It will provide information on how to protect properties against flooding or minimise the damage if water does get inside.

Such help may be invaluable to those who self build their home, or those planning to renovate it in a way that may make it more flood-resistant.

Environment Agency chairman Sir John Harman stated: "This website will allow people to understand better the information we and others already provide and practical actions they can take."

A survey published this week by the Association of British Insurers revealed that two-thirds of the public believe the threat of flooding is getting worse, with eight out of ten of those living in flood-prone areas holding such a view.