THE Government's failure to promise firm action to prevent further serious flooding has been met with disappointment.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said an attempt to raise the matter in the Commons on Wednesday received a non-commital response from a Defra junior minister.

She is to meet environment minister Elliott Morley on July 11 to discuss the issue further.

Miss McIntosh said: "It was very disappointing. They just keep saying it is climate change and we're prone to flooding.

"This area has flooded seriously on a regular basis - with about 70 properties in my area this time - and something needs to be done about it.

"That's why people's money is going into the flood defence scheme. My sympathies are with those who had to leave their homes."

Miss McIntosh praised the emergency services, the local authorities, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water for their work

Meetings were held this week in Thirsk and Helmsley between representatives of those organisations and the publie to discuss flood prevention.

Steve Wagg, flood defence team leader with the Environment Agency, said: "What we want to do is pool resources.

"We want to speak to people who have knowledge of this, as they've been through it and have brought their ideas to us for changes.

"We will pull them together to find out what happened and will see if there are any improvements for us to make."

Flooding victim Tim Watson, of Sutton under Whitestonecliffe said: "If they do something it will be good, but it could just be a talking shop. I would like to see them take some action to stop the water."

His thoughts were echoed by Coun Roger Mallett, who added: "I think it's a genuine attempt to solve it.

"Hopefully we will get something done. But people are only interested when it has happened."

Mayor of Thirsk, Coun Jan Marshall, said: "The meeting was very busy and I think that's an indication that people have come to share their experiences and inform the system as well, so nothing like this will happen again."