A radical new approach to tackling floods on Scotland's most populated river is under consideration.

Experts on flood risk management will discuss how to draw up a catchment strategy for the River Clyde and its estuary on Friday.

Individual local authorities currently have responsibility for flooding issues.

Floods hit Glasgow earlier this year

Eleven councils are involved along the length of the Clyde and its estuary.

No single body is in charge of flood risk management for the entire catchment area.

The Firth of Clyde Forum said a catchment-wide approach to tackling floods is now vital to safeguard the environment.

It has brought together key interest groups at a major conference to map out a new strategy.

Water legislation going through the Scottish Parliament has already proposed that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) should draw up catchment flood management plans across Scotland.

National strategy

Last month a report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) described the current approach to dealing with flooding in Scotland as backward and irresponsible.

It called for a national flood strategy to create effective flood protection and avoid "piecemeal" responses.

The WWF used the River Clyde as a case study and said that three recent floods had cost the insurance industry �170m.

It said Glasgow was the fourth most "at risk" city in the UK for flooding.