Bewdley has flooded several times in recent years

Last week the portable flood barriers passed their first proper test as the River Severn burst its banks.

On Monday homeowners on the north side of the town, where the scheme was introduced in 2002, were told house prices could now soar by up to �25,000.

Tim Elliot, a partner at Phipps & Pritchard estate agents, said many buyers had been waiting to see if the barriers would work.

"We are confident that now these flood barriers have been seen to work it is going to strengthen the market," he said.

"There is always a demand for riverside properties but people had stopped buying them because of the floods.

"There was a 25% reduction in the market but we should now get all that back."

It has made a tremendous difference, for a start the house is now saleable Penny Griffiths, home owner

Dog Lane resident Penny Griffiths - who is normally deluged by the flood waters - has renamed her home Dunfloodin after the success of the flood defence system.

She said: "It has made a tremendous difference, for a start the house is now saleable.

"I believe that local estate agents are talking about increases in the region of �25,000 a property.

"We always believed in it but it's tremendously important that it did work because other people can join in and believe us."

Worcestershire's innovative flood defence system combines extensive underground defences and drainage pipes with a portable aluminium barrier.

The system can be quickly installed when flooding is expected and taken down again once the danger has passed.

Bewdley has been hit by several floods, including the worst in more than 50 years in November 2000.