HOMES in parts of Worcester are now at greater risk from flooding than fire, claims the Environment Agency.

Chairman John Harman said properties in high-risk areas, such as Worcester, Bewdley and Upton-upon-Severn, had to accept flooding was the biggest threat to their property.

He said statistically fire had always been the biggest danger - but that had now changed as a result of climate change and wetter, stormier autumns and winters.

At the same time, Floods Minister Elliot Morley warned homes were still at risk of flooding this year - despite the hot, dry summer.

Sir John told the Westminster launch of this year's awareness campaign: "Our climate is changing, with wetter and stormier autumns and winters that have brought flooding and, with it, billions of pounds worth of damage and incalculable heartache to many.

"Flooding is now a fact of life in this country: for many people it is a higher risk to their home than fire.

"Our response is clear. It is not sufficient to design, build and maintain traditional defences - our work must now focus clearly on managing risk and planning and limiting the damage from floods as far as humanly possible."

Mary Dhonau, chairwoman of Worcester Action Against Flooding, who was also at the campaign launch, said flooding was a ''very real'' issue for Worcester.

"People are more vulnerable generally to flooding right across the country than house fires and I think the statistics have proved this," she said.

"People have to prepare for floods because, apart from Hylton Road, nowhere else in Worcester is going to be covered by flood defences."

Mr Morley and Sir John were jointly launching a publicity blitz for householders to prepare for the worst.

The launch was hosted by City MP Mike Foster, chairman of the Westminster all-party flood group, and was also attended by Dr Richard Taylor, MP for Wyre Forest.

Adverts are to be placed in pubs and shown on TV pointing out the range of products available to limit the effects of flooding.

These include flood guards and drain and pipe covers. The agency is determined to hammer home the message that advance planning can prevent thousands of pounds of damage.

According to Sir John, awareness in flood-risk areas increased from 52 per cent to 72 per cent last year.

"The bad news is still too few of these had thought about using that awareness," he added.