NEW measures are being planned by the Environment Agency to head off the threat of floods.

A report compiled by the agency cites a number of points to be tackled - including a new flood warning service in South Church and West Auckland, County Durham.

Consultants will also be appointed to assess what follow-up work is needed.

The emergency investigation was demanded by Agriculture Minister Elliot Morley after he became aware of the devastation caused by the floods in June.

Thousands of people in the North-East and North Yorkshire were left angry after losing their possessions when torrential rain burst the banks of the rivers Tees, Gaunless and Ouse. Dozens of people from South Church are still living in caravans, waiting for the all-clear to return to their homes.

The agency report claims its maintenance programme meant the defences "generally performed well".

But the agency has said it will hold a series of public meetings in October to consult residents over new measures to protect their homes.

It has denied the flooding was caused by the controlled release of water from reservoirs or that its flood defence systems failed at the villages of Croft, in North Yorkshire, and nearby Neasham, County Durham.

Residents of Croft and Neasham were hit by the flood waters, despite having had expensive new flood defence systems installed.

Neasham had a £465,000 system installed three years ago after a major flood in 1995, but its problem was Kent Beck which overflowed after the River Tees filled up.

Parish council chairman John Weighell said the beck was the problem.

The agency said Croft's new £500,000 defence system had helped protect the village.

It said the new warning system for South Church and West Auckland would be in place by September.

In Neasham, a study will be carried out to look at options for reducing flood risk as well as a review of the local drainage system.

l A road which has been closed since the floods occurred will cost as much as £250,000 to repair.

A 60-metre stretch of the B6282, between the South Church roundabout and Alligator pub, shut in June when the road slid down a 10ft embankment towards the River Gaunless.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said officers were working on a design for the road repairs - to be completed by October - and trying to identify sources for funding