THOUSANDS of homes across the region are at significant risk of flooding, it has been revealed.

Despite escaping the worst of the winter weather which resulted in 6,000 homes flooded nationally, Friends of the Earth is warning scores of properties in the North-East could be at real risk in the future.

The group, which has been analysing data provided by the Environment Agency, is concerned climate change will make flooding more widespread.

Across Country Durham there are 3,339 homes at flood risk, including 966 which are judged to be at significant risk.

Elsewhere, the borough of Stockton has more than 3,500 homes at risk, while Richmond’s total is almost 4,000 and the Thirsk and Malton area has 2,894 properties in danger.

According to the Government, there will be nearly one million homes at significant risk by the 2020s, up from the 370,000 currently.

Friends of the Earth North-East campaigner Simon Bowens said: “Flooding is devastating for anyone that is affected by it and as a country we must do much more to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“Without proper investment in flood defences, hundreds of thousands more homes could be put at risk of flooding.

“Prevention is better than cure, so it's also vital that the Government redouble efforts to stop climate change becoming worse."

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, said: “The recent floods are a wake-up call on the need to do more to protect households from climate change.

“Rather than making the problem worse by going gung-ho for fracking and giving hand-outs to fossil fuel companies, the Government should adopt a clean power target to create new green jobs and ensure every heat-leaking home is insulated, saving money for households and reducing carbon emissions.”

MP for North West Durham Pat Glass said: “In 2012, the North-East endured severe rainfall over a short period of time which caused significant damage and highlighted a number of areas in my constituency of North West Durham, such as parts of Lanchester and Wolsingham in particular, where there was a real danger of repeated flooding.

“Many of my constituents were displaced from their homes for sometimes months at a time, facing real difficulty and heartbreak with their homes severely damaged.”

She added: “We must also take seriously the issue of climate change that is part of the root cause of flooding. That means addressing the impact of carbon as well as building resilience when it comes to climate change.”