MINOR roads could be used to channel water away from North-East towns and villages threatened by floods, under Government plans.

Making Space for Water has been hailed by ministers as a 20-year strategy for combating flooding.

Possible solutions include using minor, non-strategic roads as flood channels in extreme events, improving sea and river walls, and creating saltmarsh buffer zones in coastal areas and wetlands near rivers.

The consultation paper has been unveiled by Environment Minister Elliot Morley and replaces a flood strategy that was published 11 years ago, before the floods of 2000 that devastated many parts of the North-East.

Homes and businesses in County Durham and Cleveland were hit by rising waters.

Mr Morley said: "Climate change means we may well see more and worse flooding."

While flood defences in each area would be dealt with according to local needs, the paper provides an all-embracing strategy for the country.

However, a Defra spokes-man said: "In local areas, bespoke flood defences which are designed to meet the needs of the area will be used."

The report outlines ideas for dealing with all types of flooding, including coastal, river, groundwater, sewers and urban and road drainage problems.

The paper looks at engineering solutions and flood warning systems, where houses are built and safeguarding road and rail through links through better design.

It also takes into account that in 2000 about 40 per cent of houses were not flooded by the river or sea but by drains or ground water.

Last May, it was announced that £78m would need to be spent to safeguard the North Yorkshire coastline.

Government funding for the flood defence programme is rising from an annual £478m to £564m a year, from next year to 2008.

It is hoped to publish a final strategy early next year.