A COASTAL village devastated by floods was offered a glimmer of hope this week.

Extra government cash could be available to help pay the £1m flood damage bill in Skinningrove.

Floods Minister Mr Elliott Morley is to step in to help clinch "main river" status for Skinningrove Beck - a move which would afford more protection for the community.

The good news came after a delegation from Redcar and Cleveland met Mr Morley in London on Tuesday.

The deputation, which included councillors, officers and three residents from the village, was given a 75-minute hearing to discuss the havoc wreaked by floods in July and November last year.

Video evidence was used to underline the damage caused, with Skinningrove the worst hit of all local communities.

Mr Morley was also given a detailed briefing on the repairs and improvements done in the village at a cost of £300,000.

The council's lead member for community safety, Coun Dave McLuckie, said: "The meeting was very promising. We feel we have been listened to and the residents who went with us left London extremely heartened."

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Dr Ashok Kumar, who set up the meeting after lobbying ministers, said: "I am pleased this has been what I consider a most fruitful meeting.

"The minister was obviously impressed by the views of local people who gave graphic evidence of the problems they have suffered.

"I think this means we can look forward with confidence to the village receiving recognition from government for the devastation it suffered."

The three key areas of progress are:

l the council can proceed with a second bid under the government's Bellwin scheme which allows local authorities to claim when expenditure after a disaster tops £300,000;

l a retrospective bid for flood defences can be made to the Environment Agency;

l Mr Morley will talk to the agency about granting main river status to Skinningrove Beck, which would transfer responsibility to the agency.

The agency would also have to prepare flood plans, help meet local defence costs and provide a weather forecasting service. At the moment, it is up to the council to foot the bill.

Villager Mr Tom Evans, who has helped co-ordinate local action to combat the flooding, said: "This is brilliant news. The minister was quite sympathetic towards us."