AN INNOVATIVE new system is being used to protect York from flooding.

The system is known as LDAR - Light Detection and Radar - and has been developed by the Environment Agency.

Based on an aerial photographs of the city, it allows planners to see which areas would be affected by theoretical floods of varying heights.

This gives the chance to warn specific home or business owners who may be affected by a flood of that height.

It also gives them extra warning if buildings or services vital to the city are likely to be affected.

The system was last night explained to a meeting of City of York Council's Flood Scrutiny Committee by Gerry Faith, the acting emergency plans co-ordinator.

He said: "This is a very early stage. It is the start of the process. However, the information we have already gained is very useful.

"For the first test, we used a theoretical 5.6 metre flood, then, by looking at the map, we were able to see which areas and facilities would have been affected by that."

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said today: "The system will be used to cover all major urban areas in North Yorkshire.

"So as well as the York area, Selby, Malton and Norton and Boroughbridge and the surrounding areas will all be covered."

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, August 23, 2001