Dear Deputy Prime Minister...When North and East Yorkshire were stricken by devastating flooding in November, you showed a commendable willingness to come and see the damage for yourself and talk to flood victims.

You also announced that the Government was making an extra £51 million available to protect communities from future flooding.

And you said that you wanted to see a flood defence scheme for Malton and Norton - two Ryedale communities struck by their second flooding catastrophe in less than two years.

The Environment Agency subsequently announced it wanted to fast-track a proposed £4 million scheme to protect Malton and Norton - providing the funding was made available.

Council representatives on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee yesterday refused to agree to a proposed 63 per cent increase in their levies to the committee to help meet the costs of such schemes, and of the disaster itself.

They deferred a decision until February 2, saying the increase would mean either an unacceptable rise in council tax or an equally unacceptable cut in services. And they decided to send a delegation to London to meet you or your colleagues to remind you of what you have promised.

Residents and business owners in Malton and Norton are depending on you to ease their heartbreaking plight. The alternative is for their nightmare to continue for at least another year longer.

Deputy Prime Minister, because the committee's deadline is February 2, there is little time left to protect their homes and livelihoods. We look forward to hearing your response.

Yours sincerely,

Liz Page

Editor

What do you think Mr Prescott should do? E-mail your views to newsdesk@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 08:47 Friday, January 12, 2001