Herefordshire County Council is calling for help for homes and businesses at risk from flooding this winter.

High rainfall and the swollen River Wye could mean that flood prevention measures will come too late for many people in the county.

Herefordshire councillor Chris Chappell says further preventative action must be taken.

He wants the Environment Agency to pay for floodgates to be attached to homes in high-risk flood areas.

'Dreadful problem'

Mr Chappell told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester: "We also want the Environment Agency to supply us now with pumps ready for that occasion (floods).

"This is so that homes and businesses can carry on and not have the dreadful problem of having 18 inches of water on the ground floor and all that that entails."

Last month, tests on Britain's first removable flood barriers were carried out in Worcestershire.

The 180-metre-long barrier was erected in Bewdley by the Environment Agency in a day-long mock emergency exercise.

It was the first time the multi-million pound defence had been tested in 'real' conditions.