A GROUP has been formed to tackle worries about land drainage in Ryedale and its potential to aggravate flooding problems.

Set up by Ryedale District Council, it resulted from floods in recent years and has experts from the five Internal Drainage Boards in the district - the Environment Agency, North Yorkshire County Council, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, National Flood Forum, RDC, and the Pickering Flood Defence Group.

Phil Hancock, of the district council, said there was concern about the future of the drainage boards and the impact of river maintenance on flooding.

He said: "Action to alleviate flooding and improve river maintenance, and to seek funding for the work, is seen as priority by the group."