THOUSANDS of pounds of unclaimed flood relief cash could end up in a trust fund to help victims of future disasters.

The York Flood Fund was set up in the aftermath of the flooding last November.

However, only 25 claims have been made, resulting in about £20,000 being paid out.

Organisers say a substantial amount is still left in the fund and are still encouraging victims to make claims.

Colin Stroud, of the city's Council for Voluntary Services, said they believed there were a number of reasons why there had been so few claims - including the fact that many people had only just started returning to their homes.

There were also myths that the fund was not helping people who had savings or were insured.

"Both of these are untrue. Each application is considered on its merits," he said.

Mr Stroud said that any cash left, once the last grant had been paid out, would be held in trust to help victims of any future disaster.

Another fund set up in the wake of the disaster, the Archbishop of York's Flood Fund, covered the whole of the diocese. It has so far paid out 385 grants totalling £70,000. "We had a total of £78,000 and money is still coming in, but when it is gone the fund will be closed," said a spokesman.