ONLY about half of the people living in the Shipston area have registered to use a free service designed to help them during flooding, even though the riverside market town is still recovering from last summer's disastrous floods.

Shipston was devastated by the flooding last July, when the River Stour rose to flood many homes and businesses in the town.

Numerous residents and businesses spent months in temporary accommodation while their premises were repaired.

The Environment Agency has divided Britain into flood warning regions to help it alert people to flooding.

One of these regions encompasses the Stour, from Shipston to Clifford Chambers, where 49 per cent of people have registered to join Flood Line Warnings Direct.

This is a system, set up about three years ago, which enables the agency to send them advice about what to do before, during and after flooding.

People can choose to have the advice sent to them via their home telephone, mobile phone, email address, fax machine, pager or by SMS text message.

The agency aims to give two hours' warning, allowing people time to move possessions to safety and take preventative measures, such as covering air bricks to reduce the risk of water getting through them.

Agency spokesperson Lyn Fraley said: "A little over half of the people at risk in that area have not signed up.

"The service gives them time to move precious items upstairs and move cars out of the garage.

"It really is a fantastic service and gives people a chance to help themselves and minimize the damage of flooding."

To register for the service, telephone the agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Details can also be found by logging onto the agency's website, www.environment agency.gov.uk.