MORE areas of Worcester could soon have temporary defences to protect against floods.

Mary Dhonau, chairwoman of Worcester Action Against Flooding, said the organisation was tonight due to discuss a "pre-feasibility" study with Environment Agency officials for barriers in other parts of the city.

These include Waterworks Road and South Quay.

However, she said her main problem with the agency was that the policy being written was "too bureaucratic".

"Flood defences are quick to put up, effective and cheap. The policy ought to be written in a similar way," she said.

City MP Mike Foster met Environment Agency chiefs on Tuesday to also discuss developments to protect the city from flooding.

Ministers are considering the financial case for permanent flood defences, with a decision expected shortly.

But the Environment Agency has already been looking at the technical side of installing defences in more areas.

Mr Foster said Worcester had seen the success of the temporary flood defence barrier along Hylton Road, thanks to a direct grant from the Government.

"But other areas of the city need defending. The Environment Agency confirmed that plans are being considered to see if they are technically feasible to construct or apply," he said.

Mr Foster, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Flood Prevention, said he had agreed with the Environment Agency about the need for "a partnership approach" to flood defences.

"This would include the city council, Severn Trent as well as the Environment Agency," he said.

"Getting the Local Government Association and the Water Services Association to buy into this approach is something local residents will support, as it means they will have a better chance of being protected.

"I would also go further and suggest that having larger unitary authorities would help in finding cash for flood defences.

"Small district councils, operating on small budgets, will always have difficulty raising cash compared to larger county and unitary councils."