CLIMATE change has prompted a local authority to put thousands of pounds aside for emergency equipment in preparation for flash floods.

The announcement of a £10,000 grant for a new Climate Change Programme was made at a meeting of Wear Valley District Council's Policy and Strategic Development Committee, held at Crook Civic Centre, Crook.

The money will be put towards vital emergency equipment such as vehicles and inflatable boats, which will be used to help people in times of flooding.

Council leader Olive Brown said: "The last time there was a bad flood we had to rely on private cars to get people out and we don't have any inflatable boats.

"Because of the way the climate is changing we seem to be having more of these floods.

"If they are going to keep occurring then we need this type of equipment."

Coun Brown said that a vehicle and inflatables dedicated to helping people evacuate and escape would be invaluable and that the possibility of flooding was something that the council should start planning for.

In June 2000, residents of South Church were evacuated after the River Gaunless broke its banks and swept though the streets as people slept in their homes.

Fire brigade boats and search and rescue canoes were used to help people from their homes, which were engulfed in water causing severe damage to property and possessions.

Since then, a new 15 metre-high dam has been erected to protect more than 600 homes and businesses in West Auckland and South Church as part of an £8.8m flood defence scheme.

The new grant will go towards the purchase of equipment that will be on hand and readily available in times of flooding.

* The council also announced a 3.6 per cent increase in council taxes with the extra money set aside for street cleaning and crime prevention.