THE Environment Agency has launched a campaign urging people to prepare for flooding.

The agency has issued warnings to people across the country to be aware of the risk of floods as autumn and winter approaches.

Research by the organisation shows that as many as five million people living in natural flood plains in Britain could be affected if waters rise again this year, and nearly 50 per cent of people living in flood-prone areas are oblivious to the risk.

But in South Church and West Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, residents have been watching water levels nervously all year.

Last year, many homes were deluged in the summer.

Clay banks have been erected along the River Gaunless to provide temporary flood defences in danger spots, but research on more permanent defences has been held up by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The agency is trying to decide whether to build an upstream reservoir to hold floodwater, or to create more embankments and concrete walls along the river bank.

Councillor John Lethbridge said: "My constituents aren't just anxious in autumn, they are anxious in summer as well, when the floods occurred.

"The unpredictability of our climate changes and the nature of the Gaunless drainage basin means it could happen again.

"We would also like something substantial built to hold back the waters. The option we were hoping for was a drainage channel or culvert to take the excess water away from South Church."

The Environment Agency has urged people to call their 24-hour Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for advice on making homes more resistant to flooding and recommends measures such as drawing up a flood plan and checking insurance cover.

In November last year, the Floodline was the second most dialled number after 999.