FLOOD campaigners were celebrating today as the Government prepared to pay for temporary flood defences along Worcester's Hylton Road.

Westminster sources said Floods Minister Eliot Morley was expected to confirm the funding during a House of Commons debate on flood and coastal defence policy this afternoon.

Hylton Road, which runs along the western side of the Severn, is inundated almost every year, cutting off homes and businesses.

The temporary defences will take a couple of hours to erect and will cost at least £100,000.

Hylton Road resident Judith Robbins was thrilled by the news.

"It's absolutely brilliant," said Mrs Robbins, who was hit by the 2000 floods. "It's brilliant news and all down to Mike Foster and Mary Dhonau fighting our cause."

Mrs Dhonau, the chairman of Worcester Action Against Flooding, was also delighted.

"It's an excellent stop-gap, but we'll keep lobbying for permanent defences," she said.

The barrier is expected to be made from pallets mounted on special metal poles and will run north of Sabrina Bridge, offering protection to around 20 homes, many of which were devastated in the floods of autumn and winter in 2000.

The barrier will also protect businesses, including the Evening News office, and prevent one of the main roads into the city being cut-off.

Government sources said approval for the temporary barrier did not rule out Hylton Road winning funding for permanent defences in the future.

It is intended to offer short-term protection in the meantime, and could be in place by the end of the year.

Under a formula assessing whether permanent flood defences would be cost-effective, the city will have to wait for at least three years before work is approved.

City MP Mike Foster, who was hoping to speak in today's debate, has been pressing for the temporary barrier since meeting Worcester Action Against Flooding, which is expected to contribute to the project.

The MP, chairman of the all-Parliamentary floods group, then held a meeting with Mr Morley to ask for Government cash.

"The use of temporary defences does not mean that Hylton Road does not warrant permanent defences," said Mr Foster.

"It's hoped that the use of temporary defences will help make the case for more permanent ones."