The Government looks set to announce next week that it will meet the £4.9 million cost of Yorkshire's flooding emergency.

But such a breakthrough might still leave hopes of a fast-tracked flood defence scheme for Ryedale - and also of defence improvements at Selby and Barlby - hanging in the balance.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been coming under enormous pressure to stump up the bill for last November's floods, and also for some of the protection schemes needed to prevent a repeat of the catastrophe.

The Evening Press hand-delivered a letter demanding Government assistance last Friday, after Yorkshire councillors refused to meet the bill through a proposed 63 per cent increase in their levies to the regional flood defence committee.

The councillors said the rise would mean either unacceptable council tax increases or service cuts, and deferred a decision until February 2, so they could send a delegation to Westminster to press for Government cash.

Humberside councillor Jim Mulgrove, who has been trying to organise the delegation, said yesterday his request had not yet even been acknowledged, and accused the Government of "dilly-dallying" when time was exceptionally tight. A meeting with ministers was needed by the end of next week, he warned.

But Selby MP John Grogan revealed that he had met Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong this week, and he had emerged hopeful that a Government announcement would be made next week. He was also hopeful that the Government would say it was willing to meet the full £4.9 million costs of the emergency.

But he did not know if there was any prospect of a 100 per cent central grant for schemes such as the Ryedale project.

However, Mr Grogan said the £4.9 million grant would reduce the levy increase needed by Yorkshire councils from 63 per cent to about 35 per cent.

Ryedale MP John Greenway said that, following a conversation with Agriculture Minister Elliot Morley, he too hoped an announcement of Government cash would be made soon, but he felt it was still not clear whether it would be enough for the Ryedale scheme to be brought forward.

Coun Mulgrove indicated that councils might be prepared to meet this level of increase if the Government paid the £4.9 million.

Norton flood victim Di Keal said it would be "good news" if the Government was prepared to meet the costs of the emergency.

But she said it should also announce a 100 per cent grant for the Ryedale scheme to ensure that it went ahead as quickly as possible. She revealed that a letter on behalf of residents, demanding such funding, would be handed to Mr Blair or his aides during a reception at Downing Street next Monday.

Simon Robertson, who ran a boat taxi service for Old Malton residents during the flood, and who is going to the reception hosted by Tony and Cherie Blair, had agreed to hand over the letter.

Updated: 10:39 Friday, January 19, 2001