THE Government is handing out cash to a Worcestershire council to draw up flood defence plans.

The £205,000 boost will be split among all councils in the West Midlands and is to be used to produce preliminary flood risk assessments to assess flood risk.

Worcestershire County Council will receive £10,000.

The cash is being allocated through Defra and follows a meeting last week with insurers, the National Flood Forum based in Bewdley, councillors and council officers, and Environment Agency staff.

Richard Benyon, environment minister, said: “In the future climate change means that we can expect changes in rainfall pattern, higher winter rainfall and more intense summer storms - all of which mean that we can expect more floods.

“Local authorities have a vital role in managing flood risks and we aim to give them all the support we can, not only through funding for defences, but also by providing support and guidance in predicting and preparing for the risks.

“These funds will go to the local flood authorities so they can prepare their own flood risk assessments and identify the implications of flooding in their area, and plan accordingly.”