Snaith and Cowick Town Council renewed efforts at its monthly meeting on Monday night to urge two leading environment bodies to maintain the flood-bank on the tidal River Aire.

Members have asked their MP Ian Cawsey to speak to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to resolve the problem.

A town council spokeswoman said residents were concerned large rural areas could be affected by flood water after hearing DEFRA might not maintain the riverbank in the future.

She added: "We need clarification on this. We need Mr Cawsey to find out if this is true. We wrote to DEFRA in September last year asking for clarification but, up to now, we've had no reply.

"The town council has decided to send a leaflet on this issue to residents with a tear-off slip. Every slip returned to us will be sent to DEFRA urging the body to maintain the riverbank defences.

"If something isn't done, a great deal of land could be devastated."
Speaking at a public meeting held last August to discuss the revised Lower Aire Draft Flood Catchment Plan, EA area flood risk manager Sue O'Neil said she had been advised by DEFRA officials not to spend money protecting low risk areas, such as Snaith, from flooding.