A LONG-awaited Environment Agency report on flooding at Northallerton and Thirsk was criticised yesterday for being inaccurate and lacking in solutions to the recurring problems.

Flood risk studies were undertaken by the agency following widespread inundation at Northallerton, Brompton, Romanby and Thirsk in 2000. Two weeks ago, North End at Northallerton was hit again after heavy rainfall, with a youth club in the town hall basement forced to close, and at Thirsk a flash flood affected properties in Finkle Street.

When the Environment Agency report on the 2000 floods, dealing partly with areas of responsibility, was received by the Hambleton council cabinet yesterday it was claimed it was based on inaccurate flood plain maps.

Coun Jack Dobson, Mayor of Northallerton, said the report raised more questions than it answered and claimed the agency had admitted that 80pc of the flood plain maps in Britain were incorrect.

Steve Quartermain, director of planning and environmental services, said: "Parts of the report need more work because we believe the data is flawed. It has not taken us to where we thought it was going to take us.

"While it is long on the problem, it is short on the solution. It does not necessarily talk about who is going to do it and who is going to pay for it."

Mr Quartermain, who said responsibility for some Northallerton watercourses was indistinct, told members: "No matter what we do we will never arrive at a situation where there is no risk of flooding. What we need to do is to take reasonable steps to make sure that is minimised.

"We believe the council should continue to take a pro-active role in helping to resolve problems but the solutions are not necessarily our responsibility."

Coun Ralph Andrew said local people were being repeatedly hit by floods and added: "We assumed the information we were getting back was accurate, and the fact that the flood map is not as was explained to us is extremely worrying."

The cabinet agreed to support further work on options for improvements to North Beck, Northallerton, with a financial contribution from Hambleton, and to back the principle of part funding a detailed survey of the Sun Beck and Turker Beck systems.

Last dance at

the Scorpion

THE Scorpion nightclub complex at Colburn closes next weekend and the building will eventually be demolished.

Owner Melva Steckles decided to shut up shop because of uncertainty over the future of the site, which houses nightclubs Staxx, MJ's and The Vault.

Late licences have been granted to Mrs Steckles' other Catterick Garrison nightspots, Harry's Bar and Louis', which will continue to cater for late night revellers.

No date has been set for demolition of the building, which opened in 1928 as an hotel, but Mrs Steckles confirmed the site would be offered on the open market to would-be developers.

A closing down party has been arranged for Saturday, July 6, and invitations have been sent to households in the area