A NORTH Yorkshire MP has vowed to continue fighting to help residents of flood risk properties to get better insurance deals.

Residents of properties that have previously flooded, such as Topcliffe Mill near Thirsk, have spoken out after seeing their home insurance bills rise by thousands of pounds.

Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake has meet with officials from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) to find a solution.

He is also due to meet with the Defra Minister responsible for flooding, Thérèse Coffey, next week to discuss the issue.

Mr Hollinrake said it was “quite frustrating” that residents of apartments within complexes like Topcliffe Mill do not benefit from reduced prices under the government-supported Flood Re scheme due to the properties being graded as commercial.

Mark Hoban, Chairman of Flood Re said: “Householders in flood-prone parts of the country should check the Flood Re website to see which insurance providers are participating and find out more about the scheme.

"Those with insurance should speak to their current provider and everyone should be prepared to shop around as the market is becoming increasingly competitive.

"When buying a policy, people in flood-prone areas should make sure it is the best one for them.”