AN ambitious plan to dig relief channels through the flood plains to the north and south of Upton-upon-Severn has been presented to the scrutiny panel.

The channels would link the river from the north of Hanley Castle to the south of Upton Marina and from Lower Ham below Saxon's Lode to a point south of Uckinghall.

The National Association of Boat Owners says it would improve drainage capacity and divert floodwater away from the town, as well as providing recreational use.

Flood relief and prevention schemes have been constructed on the rivers Nene, Great Ouse, Trent and Thames, but none on the River Severn, says the NABO.

But Upton Mayor Ernie Holder said a channel would not help and what was crucial for the town was what happened lower down the river.

"Every time there's a high tide we worry about the effect on Upton because the water from the Severn and the Avon cannot flow away quickly enough," he said.

"It would be more helpful if you could control the weirs below Upton to get rid of more water, but the thing that always puts paid to it is money.

"At the last feasibility study it was going to cost £9 million."