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Commonwealth Games 2002

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SERVICES 
Friday, 15 March, 2002, 06:26 GMT
Stockings 'make flood defences'
Sandbags being used for flood defences
Five million people live in flood-risk areas in the UK
Stockings filled with sand are an ideal solution to flood defence problems for homeowners, says the Environment Agency.

The DIY sandbags are one of a range of ideas the agency is promoting during a flood-risk awareness event.

A line of tights will be cut by West Sussex MP Tim Loughton, in place of a ribbon, at the launch of the event on Saturday.

The exhibition in Shoreham-by-Sea is designed to raise the profile of the Agency's free Floodline service across the south of England.


You can't always prevent flooding, but you can prepare for it

Peter Midgley, Environment Agency
It comes as the Agency predicts high tides along the south coast over the last weekend of March.

Up to five million people and two million homes are at risk of flooding in England and Wales, according to the Agency.

Area manager Peter Midgley said: "The weather is showing signs of increased storminess.

"Since there are large areas of low land at risk from sea and tidal flooding locally, getting wised up to flooding is especially important for those living and working in Shoreham."

Visitors to the event, which is being set up in conjunction with DIY retail chain B&Q, can obtain advice about other flood defence measures from the Sussex Flood Warning Team.

'Basic measures'

The team will offer information about steps that can be taken by those with only a small amount of DIY knowledge.

Mr Midgley said: "You can't always prevent flooding, but you can prepare for it.

"The Agency's flood awareness campaign aims to show people that they can reduce the flood threat to their homes and businesses, by taking some very basic measures."

Other information available at the event, at B&Q's Shoreham store in Brighton Road, includes the fitting of flood-resistant floorboards and other methods of home protection.


Click here for more from Southern Counties
See also:

01 Mar 02 | England
Flood warnings 'inadequate'
14 Feb 02 | Business
New flood tax mooted
13 Feb 02 | England
Flooding threat abates
05 Feb 02 | Wales
New ideas needed to prevent floods
21 Dec 01 | England
Living with the threat of floods
01 Feb 02 | UK
In pictures: Storms hit the UK
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