ROSSENDALE MP Jake Berry has called for better flood prevention measures around rivers in his constituency.

He asked local government secretary Eric Pickles in the House of Commons: “Will you ensure that local Environment Agency workers have the ability to team up with farmers, particularly to work on catchment area solutions, such as tree planting?

“Will you also ensure that the agency takes some of the reported £2.4million that it has spent on public relations services and puts it into the Rossendale Valley to prevent flooding on the River Irwell, the River Darwen and the River Ogden?”

Mr Pickles replied: “We are looking for an integrated approach from local drainage boards, local authorities and the Environment Agency to deal with these problems.”