A GRIM reminder of its flooded past failed to bring any new year cheer to Neasham.

Coun John Weighell, parish council chairman, told Monday's meeting that he was incensed by the arrival of an Environment Agency calendar in Christmas week.

The picturesque scenes of flooded areas, including submerged bungalows at Leyburn, were a last straw for a man who knows only too well the consequences of living next to the River Tees.

The calendars were sent only to homes on Teesway, which have borne the brunt of flooding in the past.

In July shocked villagers were told that its flood defence work had been put back to 2011, after two years of postponements.

Coun Weighell told the D&S Times: "I was totally disgusted. We have been told there is no money available to finish flood defence work in our village but the agency has the cash to send these out. They would be better putting the money into flood protection.

"It was also very insensitive to send out pictures of flooded homes just before Christmas, giving us tips on what to do.

"I think people in this village know about that from past experience. We don't need a calendar to remind us. It is just a sheer waste of money.

"People have been furious. No-one at the parish council meeting could believe it. Most members didn't receive the calendar because they are above the flood line."

He added: "It must have been really galling for the people in Leyburn to see the water half way up their bungalows. They don't want to be reminded of flooding, they want to be protected from it."

Rector's death

CANON Alan Lazonby, a former rector of Haughton le Skerne, Darlington, who marked 60 years in the priesthood last year, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A full obituary will be publishedin next week's D&S Times.