WORCESTER'S MP has demanded the Environment Agency provide greater flood protection for Worcestershire County Cricket Club's beleaguered New Road ground.

Mike Foster wants the ground treated as an exceptional case and has asked the agency to look into all possible solutions to try and prevent the floods which are now engulfing New Road with increasing frequency.

Last week, the club announced losses of more than £1 million following last summer's disastrous flooding.

Mr Foster said: "I have asked the Environment Agency to help the cricket club beat future flooding. I know it is a tough ask, but given the ground's importance to the local economy and its hugely symbolic significance, we simply cannot continue to stand by and do nothing. I know lives are not put at risk (when the ground floods), so ordinarily it is not a priority for action - but I have asked the agency to make an exception. I'm not suggesting they put the interests of the club ahead of protecting people, but I think they can look at options that are available. The club just needs some respite."

Last year the club received planning permission for an ambitious £10 million redevelopment of New Road which will eventually see all its buildings raised above normal flood levels.

And while this is likely to alleviate around 75 per cent of the cost of any future flooding, the cricket pitch itself will remain unprotected. Club chief executive Mark Newton said: "The most important part of the ground is the square - if you haven't got a good square then you can't play top class cricket. We do believe the square has suffered over the last 10 years or so because of the flooding. The final part of the picture is preventing the pitch from flooding - if the Environment Agency has some ideas that could help then we'll obviously be delighted to hear them."

However, Mr Newton was less than confident that a solution will be found any time soon.

"We have been in constant touch with the Environment Agency for the past couple of years regarding the redevelopment. We are not aware of any engineering or technical solution that would prevent the flooding of New Road.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We plan to sit down with the club and discuss some of the options in the near future."