WIDOWED flood victim Judith Meyler, whose insurance premium shot through the roof because of flooding, has been told her bill has been cut.

Insurance giant Norwich Union has re-assessed its demands on the 58-year-old Norton woman after meeting with Ryedale MP John Greenway.

But the move, which sees her premium lowered from £900 to £690, still leaves her paying double the previous amount, her supporters said today.

Mr Greenway, a chair of the Commons' all-party insurance and financial services committee, held meetings with the company after the Evening Press revealed Mrs Meyler's plight. She lost her husband shortly after the November 2000 floods and has been washed out twice by the incoming River Derwent.

The total cost of repairing the damage was £89,000, leading Norwich Union to land Mrs Meyler, of St Nicholas Street, with a big premium.

Now the company, which has a major base in York and announced booming profits yesterday, has relented.

Mr Greenway said: "I have discussed the options with Norwich Union and they have agreed to reduce the premium to £690. They have also reduced the excess from £8,500 to £2,500. The company has recognised that flood defences will be going in and that there is nothing more residents can do at this stage to become more flood resistant."

A Norwich Union spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the premium figures as reported."

But Howard Keal, of the Derwent Action Group, which brought Mrs Meyler's case to light, said the move didn't go far enough.

"Norwich Union has gone some of the way, but I don't think that's enough. "Their argument is that they have paid out a lot of money for flood repairs, but that's no more than a lot of other people have received.

"Other insurance companies have done exactly the same thing but have kept faith with their customers by pegging premiums. It is incredible that a company which has announced profits in excess of £2 billions is continuing to punish its customers with excessive charges.

Flood warnings were in place on the rivers Ouse and Derwent today.

The Environment Agency said the four flood warnings on the Ouse warned of the risk of flooding to riverside footpaths and staiths, undefended areas in York, Kellfield Road, Cawood, and Naburn Lock. A flood warning was also in place on the Derwent at Welham Road, Norton.

Flood warning, the next step up from flood watch status in the Agency's warning system, means homes and businesses could be at risk of flooding. Flood watches were in place for the Vale of York and the tidal Ouse.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, February 28, 2002