RESIDENTS have been given the chance to air their views over flood risks, ahead of a bid for funding to improve the city's defences.

The risk of flooding and ways to combat it were put forward at an exhibition organised by the Environment Agency yesterday.

The consultation will result in the agency looking at options to improve the major £8million flood alleviation scheme carried out in Exeter almost 50 years ago.

The focus will be on the stretch of the Exe from Countess Wear Bridge south of Exeter to the village of Stoke Canon to the north of the city.

After obtaining the views of residents to evaluate flood prone areas, the agency will hold another public exhibition next spring— ready to submit a funding bid to the Government by autumn next year.

Many of the people who attended the exhibition at the Riverside Christian Centre in Okehampton Street welcomed the chance to make their views known.

Steve Rendell, the agency's project manager, said it was vital the city kept abreast of work to deal with flooding, pointing out that there is a one in 50 chance of it happening.

"The floods of 2000 saw the river almost overtopping at St Thomas," he said. "We believe the defences are still in good order after all these years but we must not be complacent.

"We have to make a good economic case with this study. It is an ongoing scheme. In 2000 it came very close on the river where the level was just three feet off the top of the bank. While Exeter hasn't suffered anything like the floods of 1960 in recent years, it is important to remember the devastating floods in places like Boscastle, Tewkesbury and Cockermouth and the need to be prepared.

"We think there is a good economic case to improve the current scheme and further reduce the flood risk."

He said the added problems of climate change also needs to be considered and wants the public to put forward views and information about flooding in their own areas.

During the review the agency will be looking at creating flood storage ponds or lakes upstream to benefit the city.

Ways to upgrade and modify weirs is also being looked at as well as further strengthening of the river banks and planting woodland.

Oscar Addyman, 87, from Kennford, was the deputy chief engineer on the old flood defences carried out by the former Devon River Board.

"I have also worked on defences to protect areas like Norfolk and as far as Exeter is concerned I could identify half a dozen sites which could be vulnerable to flooding," he said.

Retired scientist Dr Jacqui Stewart from St Thomas said: "I'm glad the Environment Agency is consulting and taking seriously any increase in the risk of flooding."