FAMILIES affected by last summer’s floods are set to get help with paying their Council Tax bills.

Wychavon District Council has confirmed that it will receive £50,000 from the Government to help 120 families - giving an average of about £416 per household.

The money is part of a £1.2 million Government package that will help households who were affected by the summer floods of 2007.

Following last year’s floods, homes that were in need of major repair and unoccupied were exempt from Council Tax but those exemptions were time limited and in most cases lasted for only one year.

Wychavon District Council said it asked the Government for help in funding further Council Tax discounts for flood affected properties until March 2009.

This funding has now been agreed.

Council leader Councillor Paul Middlebrough said: "We were invited to make a bid to the Government for extra financial support, so this is great news for those residents still feeling the effects of last year’s terrible floods.

"It is particularly welcome in light of the current economical climate.

"We are only too aware that while life is now back to normal for most of our residents, there are a few families that have been unable to return to their homes.

"We will continue to offer support to these families in whatever way we can."