FLOOD warnings were back in place in York today as government minister Elliot Morley came to town to address Britain's first National Flood Forum.

Heavy weekend rain saw the Environment Agency put warnings in place for Kings Staith, Queens Staith, South Esplanade and New Walk on the River Ouse.

As part of his keynote speech at the conference, at York Racecourse, Mr Morley, the floods minister, was outlining measures he hoped would help flood-hit householders get home insurance.

Some insurers have warned they may not be able to issue insurance for homes at high risk of repeated flooding.

Mr Morley outlined the case for giving flood protection measures a "kite mark" which proves they work.

At present, people can spend thousands of pounds on anti-flood devices, yet still be refused insurance cover.

But the Association of British Insurers has now said it will consider offering premiums to homes which fit "accredited" flood protection products.

When asked if he was confident that York would fare better against any repeat of the disaster floods of 2000, Mr Morley replied: "No one can give guarantees that floods won't happen.

"But the city of York's defences performed very well in 2000, and since 2000 we have spent about £6 million in the Yorkshire area, of which York got a big share."

He said much had been done to repair flood defences that had been pushed to their limits, and to overhaul pumps in the Foss barrier. He said other gaps in the city's flood defences were due to be filled this financial year.

Some flood victims voiced concerns that the ABI agreement was a "hollow promise" if the issue of affordable premiums was not addressed.

Mr Morley said: "We believe the best way of keeping costs down is to have a market mechanism where you have a number of insurance companies competing for business."

He said it was not for the Government to be setting insurance premiums, but his department was helping insurers to better assess risks.

He told the forum: "The Government and myself are totally committed to an ever-improving flood defence service and to support the building of flood resilient communities."

His department expected to see its funding rise to £560 million a year by 2005 - an eight per cent increase in real terms on flood defence works.

Today's forum, which was taking place two years after York, Selby and Malton were hit by the floods of November 2000, was also being addressed by Selby MP John Grogan.

Yesterday a flood fair was held at the racecourse, where makers of flood protection devices displayed their wares.

Representatives of the Environment Agency, flood action groups, local authorities and the emergency services were also on hand.

Phil Awford, co-ordinator of Gloucestershire Action Against Flooding, described most of the anti-flood measures as "expensive sandbags".

Updated: 15:44 Monday, October 28, 2002