Fighting floods by waging war on water weeds

The work has already begun and will continue throughout the autumn and winter until March 2010.

The sites being looked at are Barnham Rife, Elmer Rife, and Ryebank Rife. Weeds at Hunston Golf Course and Bremere Rife will also be removed.

Vegetation management is the control of aquatic weeds, grass cutting on river banks and the trimming or removal of trees, which if left unmanaged could block the flow of watercourses and cause an increased risk of flooding.

Operations delivery team leader for the area Barry Killner said: 'It is very important for us to keep river channels clear of blockages in built-up or urban areas where the impact of flooding is greatest, especially where the watercourse is a single channel.

'Weed growth in the summer can be a problem as it reduces the amount of water a river can carry. Some rivers are classed as special areas for conservation, so work that is carried out will fully take into account the need to protect wildlife habitats and the environment.'

The EA spends around 8m per year on weed removal in England and Wales to ensure rivers flow freely in their natural channels. With climate change likely to increase the risk of extreme weather events and floods, the EA has launched three simple flooding guides which offer crucial advice on how to protect your home and family '“ before, during and after flooding.

The guides form an essential part of the EA's ongoing Flood Awareness Campaign which urges every household and business to check their flood risk by calling Floodline on 0845 9881188 or using the online postcode checker atwww.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood