A year on from the River Derwent flood disaster, Ryedale residents are being invited to have their say on ways of preventing its happening again.

The Environment Agency is asking people living at Malton, Norton and Old Malton to comment on possible flood defences to stop any recurrence of the floods that devastated the communities and drove families from their homes for many months last year.

Details of the options under consideration will be given at an exhibition to be staged by the agency at the Salvation Army Youth Centre, Church Street, Norton, from noon until 8pm on Monday, March 27, and from noon to 6pm on Tuesday, March 28.

It will also be staged at St Mary's community centre, Town Street, Old Malton, from noon until 8pm on Wednesday, March 29, and from noon to 6pm on Thursday, March 30.

Officers will be on hand to answer any questions and residents' comments will be passed on to the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee at its April meeting.

Tom Collier, who chairs the flood defence committee, said: "A scheme has been in the Environment Agency's capital works programme for some time but, as with other areas of great need in this region, it has had to take its place in our priorities.

"These are the early stages of investigation and it is right that local residents should be consulted at this stage, before the details of any scheme are established."

But Mr Collier said any scheme presented to the committee would have to pass strict technical, environmental and economic tests in order to gain approval and qualify for Government grants.

He also emphasised that a flood defence scheme, while improving the level of protection, could never guarantee protection against all floods.

The Environment Agency last year asked independent consultants Babtie Group Ltd to carry out a feasibility study into flood defences in the area.

Peter Holmes, flood defence manager for the agency's Dales area, said a number of options were being investigated.

He said: "The exhibition will be an opportunity for local residents to see what progress has been made in the agency's efforts to develop a viable scheme and what effects an appropriate scheme would have on the town."

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