THE national flood command centre set up in Worcester to co-ordinate relief efforts across Britain has been praised for its work over the weekend.

Mike Foster, Worcester MP and former chairman of the Parliamentary Flood Prevention Group, said the team of specialists working at the centre should be congratulated.

It was set up on Friday by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer Paul Hayden after major floods hit many parts of the country including Worcester-shire. Mr Hayden and his team have been able to move vital equipment around the country based on the latest weather and flood information.

Their work has meant trained rescuers equipped with boats and high-volume pumps have been able to go to the worst affected areas and deliver help more quickly than ever before.

Mr Foster said: "Paul Hayden and his team should be congratulated for their work over the last week. Their co-ordinating role has literally saved lives and that is no exaggeration.

"The team was pulled together at short notice from different parts of the country and they have been camped in the fire authority's headquarters working closely together to deal with the emergencies across the country."

Tenbury Wells was one of the worst-hit areas of the county and West Worcester- shire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Richard Burt has accused the Environment Agency and Malvern Hills District Council of being "caught out" by the extent of the problem.

Mr Burt believes the river Teme has been neglected in recent years and has written to the Environment Agency to demand immediate measures are taken to stop similar problems in the future.

He said: "Flood defences on the Severn have proved to be very effective, but the Environment Agency and the district council seem to have been caught out by the extent of the flooding - the worst in Tenbury since 1947. The Kyre brook has not been cleaned out for many years and it even has trees growing in the middle of the stream."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said every river had a different standard of maintenance and flood management system. He added: "The river Teme's flood management system is up to standard with urban areas being a higher priority."

It is estimated the cost of clearing up after the floods nationally will reach about 1 billion.

There is no specific figure for Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has pledged support for householders on low incomes who are desperate about the costs of dealing with flood damage to their homes.

He said: "This is a very difficult time for thousands of people affected by the flooding and we are making sure that help is available through the social fund.

"This offers interest-free crisis loans to help people who are struggling to pay for essential items, such as food and clothing.

"For the especially vulnerable there are non-repayable community care grants to help provide assistance in these circumstances."

Meanwhile, Worcester-shire County Council is urging people to be careful when looking for tradesmen to carry out emergency work in the wake of the floods. Trading standards officers are appealing for people to beware of opportunist firms without providing references.

Worcester News' weather man Paul Damari says the outlook for the coming days is showers and sunshine.