COUNCIL officials have "bared their souls" over a floodline flop in Thirsk.

A full investigation is still going on as to why the new phone line failed residents during heavy rain last month.

But at the Hambleton Flood Forum meeting on Thursday of last week, an apology was made to the townspeople.

Forum chairman Coun John Fletcher said the incident had been "a learning curve".

Town councillor Steve Hubbard, however, said it was essential that a plan was put in place for Thirsk.

As the Cod Beck threatened to burst its banks over the weekend of April 18 and 19, alarmed residents tried to ring the floodline for advice, but could not get through.

Concern was later voiced at a meeting of Thirsk Town Council.

David McGloin, Hambleton District Council head of technical services, told the forum: "We are baring our souls here. We had a series of storms - mainly in Thirsk - and there was a lack of contact with various agencies.

"We have taken this on board and are still working on the implications."

Mr McGloin said people were unable to contact the Hambleton Floodline because of "failure of our internal systems".

Work on civic centre phone lines meant some systems were not re-set and the floodline was not reconnected until 8.30am on the Monday.

"We have apologised for this and the chief executive has written expressing his regrets to the people of Thirsk," said Mr McGloin.

"There was some human error and we have put procedures in place to ensure this does not happen again.

"The system did work in the end with the on-duty officer helping to distribute sandbags. But there was poor communication in Thirsk that morning and it is a lesson we need to learn."

He said an Environment Agency flood warning - which people perceived was urgent - also needed to be checked out.

"We did not know this message was in the public domain and are still sorting out the facts," he said. "Some people were caused to panic."

Coun Hubbard said: "Thankfully, Thirsk escaped a near disaster. I am still concerned about the floodline, as we understand calls are diverted to one operative with a mobile phone.

"More operatives need to be able to receive calls and lines checked to ensure they are open."

Mr McGloin said this process and system was being reviewed.

Coun Freda Roberts said many Thirsk people were unaware that Thirsk School was the evacuation venue.

Coun Fletcher said: "We can use these issues as a learning curve to ensure everyone is linked up in future. It is clear there is a gap and we will talk to residents to get a clear picture.

"We need to put together all the processes to ensure the safety of the people of Hambleton."

Coun John Coulson questioned why calls did not go through the council's CCTV system.

"Cameras could help here. It is unacceptable that one person's mobile has to take all the calls," he said.

Mr McGloin said: "CCTV is not the answer to all ills. It is not manned the whole time, even though the cameras are working."

"It's not much good then, is it?" said Coun Coulson.

Coun Hubbard said: "There is no plan in Thirsk and it is essential something is organised and quickly."

* Flood measures worked well: page 17