FLOOD defence planners have come under fire from business owners in Tadcaster, who claim they were forgotten during last week's heavy rainfall.

They say the Environment Agency, which has responsibility for maintaining flood defences across the country, provided no support when a vital levy in the town started letting water through last week.

Coun Brian Percival, who is a quantity surveyor in Bridge Street in the town, and the deputy leader of Selby District Council, said he called the agency late last Monday evening.

Despite it being nearly midnight, an agency employee suggested he go to an out of town DIY store and buy his own sandbags.

"There was a substantial leach through the bund on the west side of the river in the area of Wharfe Bank Terrace," he said.

"It was coming through the gardens and into the surface water drain that discharges into the river - that drain will fill eventually and there will be nowhere for the leach water to go.

"The leach could become bigger in future and low-lying houses - and my office - will go underwater. The Environment Agency did nothing."

He said the number of flood alerts in Tadcaster in recent months had left businesses and residents complacent when they received last week's warning.

"I received a call from the flood line to lift up my furniture at 10.35pm and spent the next 90 minutes fixing flood boards," he said.

"Only one of the domestic neighbours had been given the same warning and they simply went to the pub.

"There's a danger of the boy who cried wolf. We've had six flood alerts recently and we can't believe them anymore."

Coun Percival said he had called the agency for further advice but had got nowhere.

"The really crucifying thing was the suggestion to go to the local B&Q at 11.45pm at night - that was just too stupid," he said.

"The big thing I would say to them is that we need more accurate information coming out of the Environment Agency.

"We need more accurate flood warnings and the community needs assurances."

The Environment Agency was contacted by The Press but declined to comment.