A GLOBALLY recognised water conservationist - known as the Waterman of India - visited a North Yorkshire village recently, to learn about its natural flood management methods.

Rajendra Singh has received international acclaim for his work in pioneering work in community-based water harvesting and water management.

In India he has helped villages take charge of water management in a semi-arid area close to the Thar Desert, and has been instrumental in fighting slow bureaucracy and mining lobbying.

Last week (Tuesday, August 25) he was awarded the Stockholm Water Prize this year, known as the Nobel Prize for water.

Prior to receiving his award he made a short visit to the UK and visited residents in Brompton, near Northallerton.

The village has suffered some severe bouts of flooding over the years and after waiting for proposed flood prevention schemes to come to fruition, residents got together to try and see what they could do in 2012. They launched Brompton Flood Prevention Group in 2013.

Residents met with Mr Singh, along with a delegation from the National Flood Forum - a charity which supports and represents individuals and community groups - and The Flow Partnership. Mr Singh is chairman of partnership, which is a UK charity dedicated to using natural techniques for land management to tackle flooding.

The delegation visited the local catchment area around Brompton to see the site of proposed "slow the flow" measures, which will involve working with nature to slow the passage of water into lowland areas.