LIBERAL Democrat candidate Ian Swales is calling for action on flood defences.

Since October 7, there have been maps on the Environment Agency website showing areas of Redcar liable to flooding.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has bid £7m for extra coastal defences but this has not yet been approved.

There are ongoing discussions between the Environment Agency and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra), which would approve the money.

Prospective candidate for the next General Election, Mr Swales said: "Apart from the actual risk to millions of pounds worth of houses there is also the uncertainty involved.

"These maps are in the public domain and anyone trying to sell their house or renew their insurance in these areas may have more difficulty until this is sorted out."