FLOOD wardens could soon be helping protect Dorchester from water damage.

West Dorset District Council has written to Dorchester Town Council to ask if the town wants to be included in the Flood Warden scheme.

In the letter, land drainage engineer Mervyn Travers said the idea was a response to flash' summer storms and longer wet periods in autumn and winter.

He said: "West Dorset District Council, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, is proposing to improve the way it responds to flooding incidents by being more proactive.

"In order for this to be done in an organised way, and be successful, we will be looking for the support of all parish councils."

The flood warden scheme is already running in several parts of the country.

It is organised by parish councils using voluntary help from residents.

Wardens distribute filled sandbags in an emergency and store the used bags once floods are over.

The Environment Agency also uses some wardens to alert the local community when a flood warning is issued.

The warden is contacted directly by the agency and passes information on to neighbours.

West Dorset District Council will soon hold a series of meetings to discuss the idea with interested councils.

Mr Travers said: "There will undoubtedly be some arrangements that will be unique to many parishes and they will have to be addressed and registered before any system can be put into operation."

He added: "The intention is that each parish will provide its own flood plan, and arrange an annual meeting to discuss the arrangements."

Earlier this year Dorset county councillors agreed that urgent measures needed to be taken to minimise flooding risks.

The proposed scheme will be discussed by Dorchester Town Council's management committee tonight.