Flood report welcomed; WYCHAVON.

COUNCIL officials who investigated the summer floods which devastated Worcestershire have recommended a string of improvements.

Wychavon District Council was told to continue to upgrade its emergency plan, provide a single point of contact for its telephone helpline and strengthen relationships with key community and utility groups.

The recommendations were made by the authority's own scrutiny committee after thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes because of the rising flood waters in July.

Flood Review group chairman Coun Martin King said: "This is a very important report into the way the council handled the flooding.

"We have many things to celebrate, but as is usual at Wychavon, we are very keen to learn how we can improve in the future.

"We hope we never again have flooding to deal with like that again.

"But if we do, we are confident these recommendations will improve Wychavon's response."

The report also highlighted the quick response from Wychavon, which set up five rest centres and accommodated, fed and supported 850 people.

CAPTION(S):

DEVASTATING EFFECTS... the High Street in Droitwich in July.