HIS home was branded as being at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea - even though it is at the top of a hill and 40 miles from the North Sea.

David Kitson's insurance premium shot up because of the "crazy" Environment Agency flood risk assessment for his property in a York suburb, dubbed "Huntington-by-the-Sea".

Now his insurers, Royal & Sun Alliance, have refused to cut the premium, insisting his postcode is at high risk of flooding and he should therefore make a higher than usual payment.

Mr Kitson, 62, of Whenby Grove, has received a letter from insurance provider Payment Shield saying it understood that he was unhappy his home was considered to be in a high-risk flood area, "and that you have obtained information from the Environment Agency, who have confirmed that you are not even considered as a low risk".

But it said Royal & Sun Alliance, regarded the premium as "non-negotiable".

It said different insurers based their rates on various factors, one being the risk associated with the insured postcode.

It said: "In your case, the insurer considers your postcode to be a high-risk with regards to flooding, consequently this higher risk is represented by a higher than usual premium increase. While I appreciate an increase in your renewal premium is disappointing to you, I am unfortunately unable to alter your premium, as this is set by your insurer and is non-negotiable."

The agency said last month that Mr Kitson was considered to be at a one-in-200 (or 0.5 per cent) chance of flooding from the sea, "ignoring the presence and effect of flood defences", although it revealed that, following a review, it was downgrading the risk from significant to low.

But Mr Kitson said: "We're half-a-mile from the River Foss and at the top of a slope.

"If we were going to be flooded, half of York would be under water. And how can we be at risk from the sea?"

Huntington parish councillors are preparing to discuss the issue of insurance and flood risks at a meeting tomorrow night, amid concerns many other householders could also be affected by premium hikes.

A spokeswoman for the Association Of British Insurers said today people affected by insurance premium rises should "shop around," as they could find other firms prepared to offer better terms.

"They should go on the internet or perhaps go to a broker," she said.

A spokeswoman for Royal & Sun Alliance said Mr Kitson might have received the letter in er ror, adding: "We will continue to investigate the premium to find out why it has increased."