A LEADING member of Northumbrian Water publicly apologised yesterday for not responding to complaints properly.

The production manager at the company, Dave Mitchell, was speaking at a public meeting about flooding in Hartlepool.

The Hartlepool Environmental Stewardship and Regeneration Scrutiny Forum met yesterday and heard residents tell of years of misery caused by floods.

The discussion at Hartlepool Civic Centre followed three earlier meetings in which specific flooding problems in the West View, Rift House, Valley Drive, Stranton Cemetery and Seaton Carew areas around Hartlepool were debated.

Mr Mitchell, who is responsible for overseeing sewage treatment and water production across the North-East south of the Tyne, apologised after members of the public complained that they could not get through to the company's hotline during recent flooding.

Others complained that letters sent to the company three years ago had not been replied to, and that telephone calls had not been returned.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Mitchell said: "I'm quite famous for doing what I say, but it does seem that some people in the company have been confronted with angry people and taken the soft option.

"Instead of saying that a problem will be dealt with as soon as possible, they've said someone will get back to them the following day, and that hasn't happened. I've apologised for this at previous meetings and I've taken it on the chin."

Mr Mitchell went on to explain that a freak storm which battered the Tees Valley area two weeks ago was a one in 250-year event.

He said problems caused by such an unusual occurrence could not be accommodated by improvements to water supply or treatment, but more regular problems would be addressed.

Councillor Ray Waller, former chairman of planning at Hartlepool Borough Council, argued that future developments should be limited in flood-prone areas.

Coun Sandra Fenwick, who chairs the forum, said all meetings had been well attended and information supplied by the public was being taken on board.

Other members of the forum included representatives of the Environment Agency and council officers.