A WEST Craven councillor is urging eligible local residents to take up flood resilience grants to help protect their property.

Cllr David Whipp said: “Locally, we’ve only had a small proportion of householders eligible for flood resilience grants following Boxing Day flooding actually apply for them.

“Our roadshow event in Earby last month saw an increase in interest, but there’s still a long way to go. I’m urging eligible residents to ask for assistance before the deadline for applications, which is Boxing Day this year.

“A national report stresses the importance of property level flood defence and there’s a lot of discussion about the responsibility of different sectors – insurance, councils or government – in ensuring property level work is being carried out. But here in Pendle we have scores of householders who can claim up to £5,000 for such work from grants.

“Regrettably, the government is refusing to extend this scheme to those affected in September’s floods."

However, the West Craven Area Committee has agreed to allocate funding and this will be matched by money from Pendle Council's central pot. This will allow some property level protection to be carried out to these properties.

To find out more about flood resilience grants by emai floodsupport@pendle.gov.uk or ring 01282 661017.