RESIDENTS in a Broadway street who fear their houses will be flooded every time there's heavy rainfall, could soon get relief.

Wychavon District Council has put aside £77,000 to carry out flood alleviation works for Mill Avenue.

So far nearly all landowners have been contacted and about 16 different flood prevention schemes have been drawn up. In the next few weeks a meeting is to be arranged between the villagers concerned and council officials to choose the best way forward.

Carl Craney, head of engineering at Wychavon, said: "It has been a real headache trying to get in touch with about 24 agencies, organisations and individuals who may be involved.

"We are nearly ready now to call a meeting of all those concerned to choose the right flood alleviate scheme. The money is in the budget to be spent this year, so obviously we want to do the work as soon as possible."

Some ideas under consideration include constructing bunds, excavating balancing ponds, lowering the weir and constructing a flood wall.

The need for flood alleviation work in the Mill Avenue area was regarded by the council as a priority following the catastrophic Easter floods of 1998

Resident, Phyllis Prater said: "On that Good Friday the avenue looked like a river and many of our drives were washed away.

"The water poured into our homes, ruining our carpets, and it wasn't until the following September that the walls and floors were dried out enough to enable us to fit new ones."

Mrs Prater added: "The recent heavy rain six weeks ago nearly flooded into our homes again.

"Every time it rains heavily we fear we will be flooded - we don't want it ever to happen again."

Pat Cooper, another resident, said: "We have 80-year-olds living in the avenue worried sick every time it rains. It really is about time the council got on with the job."

Mr Craney said that Wychavon District Council was not legally responsible for flood damage and is only obliged to ensure riparian owners keep their ditches clear.

However, hundreds of thousands of pounds were set aside last year to help householders and businesses keep floodwaters at bay.