Many homes were flooded in Gunthorpe in 2000

The leader of the Nottinghamshire-based Gunthorpe Flood Alleviation Group, Roger Fell, says the government is ignoring small-scale flood alleviation projects in favour of bigger ones.

"There is a very small national cake of finance and Gunthorpe is very far down the pecking order," Mr Fell said.

"We think we need some form of grant aid for small communities and residents because the cost of defending yourself is so high."

Beer mats

John Adams, of the Environment Agency said Gunthorpe, a village on the River Trent which was hit by flooding in 2000, does not qualify for a major flood defence system.

We are trying to target people who haven't woken up to the risk of flooding John Adams Environment Agency

"We have to fall within priority areas for the government and Gunthorpe does not qualify for a major flood defence system" Mr Adams said.

"Our research shows that 90% of people at risk from flooding take no action at all," he said.

A recent Environment Agency poster and beer mat campaign launched across the country focuses on the need for local action to prevent flooding.

Mr Adams said the campaign was aimed at people who are not taking action against flooding.

"We are trying to target people who haven't woken up to the risk of flooding and have not taken any action," he said.