PENSIONER Topsy Clinch has 571 reasons why a £1.3 million flood prevention scheme should go ahead in Pickering.

She is still clearing up her house, an astonishing 571 days after it was inundated when the nearby town beck burst its banks last March.

And for the first year or so, she had to live upstairs at her home in Beck Isle.

To make matters worse, she feared the disaster might happen all over again last week when the beck overflowed on to land in front of her property. "It comes up so quickly. It's quite frightening, really," she said.

Topsy said the floods last year filled her ground-floor to a depth of about three feet.

And a massive programme of work has been needed ever since to sort out the mess and damage caused by the water and mud.

"I have had to have the whole place grouted and re-plastered, and re-decorated, from the floor to the ceiling."

Carpet fitters were finally able to lay new carpets in the last few days. "It's wonderful to have my carpets back."

The Evening Press revealed on Thursday that consultants estimate it would cost £1.3 million to protect up to 40 properties in Pickering from flooding, along with the main A170 road.

A decision may be taken next summer on whether to press ahead with such a flood prevention scheme, after Environment Agency officers have fully assessed the consultant's ideas and weighed up the cost-benefits.

Topsy is in no doubt that such a scheme is needed as soon as possible. "They have got to do something," she said.

But she felt the agency should also take immediate action to reduce the risk of flooding this winter.

"They should start by cleaning the beck out," she said. She felt a foot of silt along the bottom of the river could be removed, allowing the beck to take more water and high levels to be carried away more quickly.

reporters@ycp.malton.fsnet.co.uk