FLOODING will be top of the agenda at a meeting in Blandford on October 8.

Representatives from around 20 parish councils across North Dorset will share their experiences of the Flood Warden Scheme at an all-day meeting at the Brewery, organised by the Environment Agency.

It will be an opportunity for parishes to be given an update on flooding information and look at their local flood plans with the agency, local authorities, highways departments, police and fire services.

Councillors from Sixpenny Handley Parish Council will give a presentation on their flood plan.

Representatives from villages including Milborne St Andrew and the north Winterborne and Tarrant valleys - all flooding hotspots - are expected to attend.

Nick Lyness from the Environment Agency said: "The wardens are an important link between the Environment Agency's flood warning service and their own community. They ensure that flood warnings get to - and are understood by - as many local people as possible.

"They have a vital in-depth local knowledge which helps to identify any specific local problems that can be addressed before the onset of flooding. This knowledge complements our technical expertise, and together gives a more complete picture locally."

He added: "We helped to launch the flood warden scheme last year and it has already proved very successful. At these events our role is to encourage parishes to put forward wardens for this vitally important role and to help them develop their plans to take account of as many situations as possible."

First published: October 7