Norwich Union's head of household products Nick Pierson said: "There are almost 2 million residential and commercial properties at risk of flooding in the UK."

A lot of areas are now saturated so further rain is just going to compound the problem

Ian Jones Environment Agency

But ministers warn that despite more money being spent on protection, the risk of flooding cannot be eliminated.

Last year, floods cost companies an estimated �800m.

More than 10,000 homes across the UK have been hit by floods in the past 18 months.

And the Environment Agency (EA) predicts 10 times as many could be affected in the future.

Now Norwich Union, which is part of insurance giant CGNU, is distributing information packs on how to lobby MPs and what to do if your property is flooded.

National Flood Forum chairman Peter Barnett said the campaign would "help at-risk communities understand the need for active local participation".

The EA has issued two severe flood warnings on stretches of the River Severn and its tributaries in Shropshire.

Extensive damage

The warnings follow extensive damage caused by storms and persistent rain over the past two weeks, with more heavy rain is expected on Tuesday.

EA spokesman Ian Jones said: "A lot of areas are now saturated so further rain is just going to compound the problem."