RESIDENTS in a flood blighted rural market town are being urged to give their views on proposed flooding defence schemes.

The Environment Agency is looking to give aid to Thirsk residents who suffer when the Cod Beck breaks its banks.

Staff from the Environment Agency are to visit Thirsk Town Hall to show off the schemes and to talk residents through them.

The move comes as figures released by the agency show that 858 homes in the Hambleton area are at a significant risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency has reports of flooding from Cod Beck from 1754 and claims there are no formal flood defences in Thirsk.

This the agency states means that more than 80 properties have a one per cent chance of flooding in any year.

Richard Hartley, the agency’s project manager for a Thirsk scheme, said: "We have considered a wide range of options for managing flooding in Thirsk.

"We are recommending a scheme using a combination of flood defence walls in Thirsk and an upstream flood storage area.

"As part of the process we will be consulting with key groups such as the local authority, the town council, and the landowners, as well as the residents."

The upstream storage area would hold back water during any heavy rainfall to reduce the risk of flooding Thirsk.

Thirsk Town councillor Janet Watson said: "I think it’s a good idea and I’d recommend that people go along and see what may go ahead as it’s their opportunity to comment."

Howard Keal, the Lib-Dem parliamentary candidate for Malton and Thirsk, said: "What the figures underline is the sheer scale of the problem.

"It can not be right that towns like Thirsk are left exposed to the risk of flooding and this report has to be a clarion call for adequate funding to be put in place to provide protection."

Anne McIntosh, the Conservative Vale of York MP, added: "I have severe reservations over this country’s preparedness for and protection from a future flood."

The Environment Agency hopes to have a preferred scheme by the Autumn and it will then apply for funding.

Its Thirsk drop-in session is on Wednesday, July 1, from 3.30pm to 7pm.