YOUNG people from the North-East have been practising how they would deal with a flood.

The emergency exercise was simulated at Bowburn Fire and Rescue Service Training Centre, near Durham, on Saturday.

Young firefighters, scout groups, police and air cadets who recently completed their Duke of Cornwall Community Safety Award took part in Exercise Levantine to test their skills.

The groups have all learned how they could help their local communities and families during emergency situations.

They used their knowledge to handle five different activities and scenarios in preparation for managing an emergency response.

Organised by Durham County Council’s Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU), it was staged to test the multi-agency response to flooding as part of the Local Resilience Forum.

Councillor Joy Allen, cabinet member for safer communities said: “I’m delighted that so many of our young uniformed organisations in County Durham take community safety and the protection of their communities seriously enough to work for an award.

“It’s fitting their hard-work and dedication is rewarded and I hope they enjoyed their experience working with our CCU and the other professional and emergency services.”

Agencies involved include Durham Constabulary, County Durham Fire and Rescue Service, the British Red Cross, the Met Office, the Environment Agency, RAYNET, the Military, Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks.