The Environment Agency chairman Sir John Harman has admitted there are about 100 communities for which it is no longer cost effective to protect against floods.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme, Sir John said that homeowners and businesses in those areas will increasingly have to seek individual solutions for flood protection.

Sir John said his team have been looking at the areas worst affected by the flooding in the autumn of last year.

He says the agency identified about 100 communities where flood defence schemes are possible.

Shifting onus

But there were another 100 where he says it would simply not be cost effective to provide protection against flooding.

It is understood these include Upton Upon Severn in Worcestershire, Bingley in West Yorkshire and Hatton in Warwickshire.

Sir John's view on the shifting onus for flood protection has already been hinted at by Rural Affairs Minister Eliot Morley.

He has warned while substantial resources have been devoted to increasing defences since last year certain homeowners will have to accept they will end up underwater at some stage in the future.