THE Environment Agency has hit back at criticism of a long-awaited report aimed at protecting large parts of North Yorkshire from flooding.

Earlier this week, Hambleton District Council called on the agency to re-examine its proposals to save the North-allerton and Thirsk areas from heavy damage in the future.

Councillors believe a major study, launched after the floods of November 2000, is inaccurate and does not provide a solution to the problem.

They believe the definition of the flood plain on maps is unclear and say they cannot base policies on misleading documents.

But an agency spokesman said yesterday: "The agency is satisfied with the information that has been provided to these bodies as a result of detailed investigations.

"We believe the areas identified on the maps are, or will be, at risk of flooding at some stage."