Local authorities will tomorrow refuse to pick up the bill for the November flooding disaster and for better flood defences.

Council representatives from across Yorkshire have decided they will not support a "swingeing" 63 per cent increase in their levies to the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee, which they say would mean a rise in council tax.

Instead, they will defer a decision and press the Government to meet the costs of the flood, said Coun David Ashton, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

The councillor, speaking after an informal meeting of council representatives in Sheffield yesterday, said North Yorkshire was already meeting other costs arising from the floods, such as an £800,000 bill for bridge repairs.

"We will not support the swingeing increase in the levy that would directly hit the council taxpayers' pocket."

But he conceded that, if the Government refused to pay up, hopes of fast-tracking flood defence schemes such as one proposed for Malton looked bleak.

And Professor Roy Ward, chairman of the committee, warned: "Unless we approve the levy, the consequences for flood-risk communities in Yorkshire may be very severe.

"Any reduction in the proposed levy will have a serious impact on next year's capital programme, and will reduce the region's share of the extra £51 million provided nationally by the Government following the recent flood event."

One Ryedale householder, whose home in Norton has been flooded twice in less than two years, was outraged today by news of the councils' stance.

Howard Keal said: "It's disgraceful they could even think of refusing to put up the money when it could result in this nightmare continuing for even longer. Have they no consciences?

"Even if the scheme is fast-tracked, it will still not be completed for another two-and-a-half years. Any further delay is completely unacceptable."

He supported calls for Government cash, but feared a stalemate could develop, leaving flood victims in the lurch.

"It's dangerous brinkmanship. It's absolutely appalling."

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 people have backed the Evening Press campaign to Save Ryedale and Stamford Bridge from Flooding.

Our petition calling for action to tackle the flooding threat in Malton and Norton, Pickering and Stamford Bridge was signed by 2,005 residents and businessmen from across the area.

Many more signatures were lost in Stamford Bridge during the floods when petition forms were literally washed down the River Derwent.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, January 10, 2001