The flood barriers will help relieved Worcester residents

Floods minister Eliot Morley announced in the Commons on Thursday that a �600,000 Defra grant had been approved to buy temporary community defences along the River Severn.

Residents of Hylton Road in Worcester, which runs along the western side of the Severn and is a main route into the city, will benefit from the scheme, which is expected to cost �100,000.

Many homeowners were left devastated after the floods of autumn and winter 2000.

Pilot trial scheme

The barrier is expected to be made from pallets mounted on metal poles - like a similar scheme upstream at Bewdley.

Mr Morley said: "Worcester is one of a number of areas that will be included in the pilot trial scheme for such defences."

Worcester City MP Michael Foster said: "I want to say a big thank you to the Minister on behalf of the people of Worcester, and in particular on behalf of Worcester Action Against Flooding.

"It will be mightily impressed by his announcement, and the champagne will certainly be flowing tonight in Worcester."