WASHED-out flood victims from across the country will be turning to Bewdley for help and advice following the launch of the National Flood Forum in the town.

Bosses say the forum, which sees the town become the UK's centre for flood defence expertise, will become "a focal point for an integrated approach to the growing menace of flooding".

It evolved from the widely-praised Bewdley Residents' Flood Committee, which formed in response to the November 2000 floods - the worst to hit the town for 53 years.

The Environment Agency has agreed to fund the forum for three years and an office has been set up in Beales Corner with two full-time members of staff - executive director Gill Holland and office manager Amanda Davies.

National Flood Forum chairman Peter Barnett said: "The activities of the committee struck a chord and it has become a point of contact for people and companies with an interest or involvement in flooding from across the UK."

The committee played a key role in meetings to discuss the multi-million pound scheme to install removable flood barriers along Severnside North - and eventually Severnside South - which is taking shape.

It also organised the country's first flood defence fair, which brought product manufacturers face-to-face with their target market, in Bewdley last June and has since held them in other parts of the country.

The non profit-making National Flood Forum aims to set up and provide a resource centre for a UK-wide network of at-risk communities, hold an annual conference, organise more fairs and give victims a "cohesive voice" when dealing with insurers and the Government.

The forum has so far made contact with about 30 groups across the country.

Former town councillor John Iles is vice-chairman, while the management board also features representatives from the south east, south west, north east and east.

Mr Barnett hopes the national Flood Action Network of community volunteer committees will help the Environment Agency provide a "seamless and integrated" flood warning service.

The Bewdley Residents' Flood Committee will continue in its present form.

The forum has a website - www.floodforum.org.uk - which will soon be re-launched, offering community groups the opportunity to set up their own mini-sites within it.

Mrs Holland said: "We've been trying to set this up for nine months so it's fantastic to have computer equipment and facilities."