COUNCILLORS will be accused of "fiddling while Rome burns" if there is more flooding in North Yorkshire.

An action group founder said there would be a "payback time" if the area hit more problems this winter and the authorities were still just talking about solutions.

Ian Watkins spoke out after attending last week's inaugural meeting of the Hambleton Council-led flood forum in Northallerton.

The forum brought together representatives of agencies such as police and fire services, local authorities, water companies and the Environment Agency.

It was set up in the wake of a public outcry after flash floods hit towns such as Northallerton and Thirsk in the summer.

The flood action group was formed shortly afterwards, based in Northallerton but with a brief to cover the surrounding areas.

Mr Watkins said: "It was good to have all those people in one room and I just hope they continue to work with each other. I don't want them to sit back now and think they have done their bit."

Forum chairman Coun John Morley said the meeting had taken a positive step towards the goal of helping people who lived in fear of floods affecting their homes and livelihoods.

Mr Watkins reminded everyone it would soon be the second anniversary of the flood of November 2000.

"And we are still talking about it. There is no getting away from that," he said.

The group said that despite the launch of the forum, members would continue with plans to field candidates in next year's council elections and that the group was still calling for no further developments in risk areas until the flooding problem had been sorted out.

* Forum hits back: page 5