PICKERING may have to wait a year before a flood defence scheme gets under way, a public meeting was told.

Tom Fewster, project manager for the Environment Agency, said a 'fast track' scheme - as was being planned for Malton and Norton - was not appropriate for Pickering.

He told last night's meeting at the Memorial Hall that there was no one solution suitable for the market town.

No suitable sites had so far been pinpointed where large quantities of flood water could be stored on the moorland above Pickering, and the agency was now looking at potential smaller sites.

"There are technical problems in developing flood defences at Pickering," said Mr Brewster, adding that ground conditions in the area were poor.

Several possibilities had been explored including upstream

storage of water, flow diversions, increasing channel capacities, removal of structures, barrier defences and land use management.

"None of these solutions will, we feel, make a significant difference, so we are looking at localised solutions to give a positive reduction in flood risks".

In a worst case scenario - which might occur once in 100 years - Pickering could suffer a 'major, major' flood with 35 cubic metres of water a second hitting the town.

Potentially some 195 homes and properties could be affected, the meeting was told. It was decided to set up a flood forum, consisting of about 10 residents.

The Town Mayor, Coun Betsy Hill, welcomed the idea, saying it would avoid confrontation and also be a useful consultative group.

Updated: 11:40 Thursday, January 31, 2002