BEWDLEY is better prepared than it was a year ago when it was hit by the worst flooding in more than 50 years, town leaders believe.

People living in Severnside North, which was particularly affected by the rising water, are bracing themselves for months of disruption ahead of a £2 million Environment Agency scheme to install demountable flood barriers.

And the agency says the work will not be completed until "early summer", meaning another winter of uncertainty for Severnside North folk, some of whom are still getting their houses in order.

At a Bewdley Town Council meeting meeting on Monday town councillor John Iles was concerned "it could all happen again".

But Frank Palmer said: "The town is much better prepared - the Bewdley Residents Flood Committee has done a tremendous amount of work.

"People are more aware of what they can do themselves."

Of the defence scheme, which will be extended to cover Severnside North next year, he said: "We were all aware it would take time to come into being. It's going to be a long, long job and there are going to be problems along the way."

The Environment Agency has achieved a first in Bewdley by designing, promoting and starting a major flood defence scheme in less than a year, up to four times quicker than previous standards.

Spokesman Oliver Blackburn said progress over the summer had been "rapid", with 40 metres of unstable wall being rebuilt.

The wall is now being cleaned and repointed while the scheme awaits final approval from the DEFRA head office. The main work may not start until after Christmas. Contractors will operate from a base on the Dog Lane car park.