OUR message today to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is simple and can be summed up in two words: pay up.

Councillors from across Yorkshire yesterday insisted that they were not prepared to foot the bill for last November's floods disaster. That leaves hopes of earlier completion for a £4 million scheme to protect Malton and Norton resting entirely with Mr Prescott.

During the floods crisis, Mr Prescott and his boss Tony Blair visited inundated areas and promised that something would be done.

Now we send this message loud and clear: the Government should pay for flood defences instantly and directly. And no argument.