UPTON residents had a close look at a £150,000 scheme hoping to make flooding a thing of the past.

A public open day at the Memorial Hall gave people the chance to see plans for a trial flood defence scheme, and speak to experts about how it would work.

They could also inspect one of the 1.25m high portable 'Geodesign' barriers that will be used when the water rises.

Flooding is as much a tradition in Upton as the summer festivals and for years residents and businesses have asked for protection.

At the open day Environ-ment Agency flood defence specialist Richard Bolton said: "Over the years we've looked at numerous schemes, but for a variety of economic and other reasons we haven't been able to offer a solution for Upton. These temporary barriers have been used elsewhere so we thought 'can we use them in Upton?'"

The Environment Agency is working with both Malvern Hills District Council and Upton Town Council on the scheme. The barriers will be brought to Upton in October ready for use this winter. If they are successful they will become a permanent addition.

Mr Bolton was pleased with the public response.

"We've seen a lot of people today and everyone's been very interested and is looking forward to the trial," he said.

Christine Gledhill, an Upton resident for 40 years, is pleased to see action being taken. However she said: "Quite honestly I'm not sure it will work. The water comes into Upton from more than one direction. Unless you can protect all the way around the town then I don't think anything will work."

But town clerk Gill Jennings said: "I think it has got to be tried and then we can see if there is anything further that needs doing. This is long overdue in Upton. We've seen money spent elsewhere and it's about time it was spent here."

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt said the project was good news for Upton. He has been assured the project will go ahead despite the announcment of nearly £15 million in cuts to the national flood defences budget.