Some 2,000 homes in the district were flooded last July after heavy rainfall swelled rivers and burst drains.

So far 170 flooded households - including 137 in Wellesbourne - have received £250 from Stratford District Council as part of a compensation grant from the government.

And thanks to the public response to a British Red Cross appeal, another £150 is available to those who were most affected.

In Southam all the flood-damaged houses in Pound Way remain unoccupied, but the owners are expected to return to their homes later this month.

Head of community services at the district council Robert Walsh said: “We have had nearly 1,000 applications for the £250 grants and are still receiving them.

“Some have been from areas you might not expect, but homes have also been flooded by run-off from fields as well as river water.

“Particularly badly damaged households will be contacted over the next few weeks about the Red Cross grant and will receive a cheque.”

Those eligible for the grant must either be over 75, have children under five or be on means-tested benefits.

Mr Walsh added: “We have done an analysis by parish of all the causes of the flooding and what can be done about it. We are taking a report to the councillors in March or April to come up a list of the actions to be taken and agree it with Severn Trent and the Environment Agency so we are all working on an agreed programme.”

Stratford MP John Maples recently met the Environment Agency’s regional director Steve Morley to discuss flood prevention.

Mr Maples said: “I have asked for a detailed map of the rivers for which they are responsible, detailed maps of flooded areas with flood defence proposals and an explanation of the way they are evaluating the cost of these schemes.

“We need to understand what it proposes to do and if these proposals are financially feasible.”

l Flood victims can find out if they could receive a Red Cross grant by contacting Mr Walsh on 01789 260106.

For further information about the floods visit Warwickshire County Council’s website at:

www.warwickshire.gov.uk