FLOOD barriers in Worcester have so far cost up to £21,700 to protect the city against the rising river water and stop thieves from taking them.

The barriers, which were put up at a cost of £2,200 on Friday, January 11, cost £1,500 a day to guard against the water and also for Environment Agency workers to keep a watch over the temporary defences.

For the barriers - which cover a total of 250 metres - to be taken down once the threat of flooding has dropped, it costs a further £2,200.

An agency spokesman said: "The people are there to keep their eyes on them and make sure everything is fine. All barriers are manned 24 hours a day.

"We have had to bring in this measure after someone tried to steal the barriers in the last flood in the summer. So far the barriers are holding the water well."

Jonathan Morgan, regional flood risk manager for the Environment Agency revealed they would ideally want permanent flood defences and have applied for a £65,000 investment to create a permanent barrier along Hylton Road.

He said: "However, when we have to use temporary or demountable barriers we are working with the community to deploy them."

Andy Churchill, of Hylton Road, who had his house flooded in 2000 and last July, said the cost was worth it.

It is definitely worth the money but we would rather they built a permanent embankment."

Mr Churchill and his family have had to convert one of their upstairs bedrooms into a kitchen while repairs were made to the ground floor rooms - and work is still being done six months later to complete the work. Worcester MP Mike Foster said barriers were of benefit to local people but hoped some permanent ones would be made.

He said: "Creating earth banks would be beneficial and would see a reduction in the costs. It is a lot of money but the damage to houses and property is worth it. Flooding causes so much misery and heartache and people do suffer terribly."

In Upton-upon-Severn, full deployment of all the barriers costs £4,000 to put up and a further £4,000 to take down, also costing £1,500 a day to watch.

In Bewdley, which has three seperate flood defences on Severnside North, Severnside South and Beales Corner, the agency has had problems with vandalism and abuse to the staff.

The Environment Agency spokesman added: "We have had specific issues in Bewdley as there has been a handful of people trying to vandalism the defences and abusing members of staff. We are asking people to be vigilant and if they spot anything like this to contact the police."

A police spokesman confirmed there had been a few incidents in Bewdley when staff had contacted them.

"Police are keeping an eye on the situation and are working closely with Environment Agency staff and are responding to any calls received from them."

Click here for the Environment Agency's latest flood warnings for the Midlands.
Click here for the latest weather forecast.
Click here for the latest travel news.