A STREET blighted by summer flooding was yesterday visited by a Government minister.

Communities Minister and Hartlepool MP Iain Wright visited George Street, Darlington, to meet residents affected by flash flooding that struck across the region.

And he praised the response of the region's emergency services and councils in dealing with the flash floods, particularly the response to a downpour in Darlington on June 23.

He said: "Considering it happened on a Saturday and given that many people were called into work to deal with it, it went remarkably well. People often decry public sector workers, but this is an example of their hard work and integrity."

George Street resident Sarah Jane Burningham described a river running through her dining room. She said: "At one point, a taxi sped through the flood waters outside, sending a tidal wave surging along the street and into number three."

Mr Wright also visited Chester-le-Street to see how Government aid was being spent on recovery programmes in one of the North-East's worst-hit areas. The town received £60,000, which will go towards flooding prevention measures in the most at-risk areas.

He visited Menceforth Cottages, on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street. The houses, on the road from the town centre to Pelton Fell, suffered when the nearby Cong Burn overflowed during heavy rain in July.

Flooding also affected the Market Place a short distance away, where sandbags had to be put outside the entrances to some businesses.

Mr Wright said that although it would be hard to prevent flash flooding in the future, it was important for the Government to listen to the victims of the flooding to improve its response.

He said: "I think what we need to recognise is that this seems to be a consequence of climate change. The deluge in Darlington was just 17 minutes long. Is there any way we can combat that? I would suggest that is very difficult.

"There will be more and more examples of extreme weather, which includes flash flooding. We need to identify which areas are most at-risk and see what can be done."