PUMPING equipment worth £120,000 is being bought by council bosses in East Yorkshire to improve the region’s flood defences.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council expects to take delivery of six trailer-mounted pumps and about 25 submersible pumps, which can be used in homes hit by flooding, in May.

The council said the equipment would ensure a more “proactive response” to problems such as those which have struck the village of Burton Fleming in recent weeks.

Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services, said: “The council takes flooding very seriously and is committed to doing all it can to reduce the risk and strengthen its response when incidents occur.

“As well as investing in more than 100 flood alleviation schemes over recent years, the council has bought new gully tankers, and the addition of pumping equipment at its six depots will mean it can provide an even more robust response.”