OFFICERS at Wychavon District Council have warned they may never find a permanent solution to flooding problems in the Vale district despite spending thousands of pounds on the problem.

Since the Easter floods of 1998 the authority has been trying to find a way of preventing a repeat of the disaster which hit homes and businesses throughout the country.

The Capital Flood Alleviation Programme was set up and a new report, which is to be discussed at a special meeting on Tuesday of the overview and scrutiny committee next week, recommends that it be extended.

The report looks at flood defence schemes for nine more sites which are in areas where five or more properties are at risk. Some of these suffered flooding before the major event and some, including Harvington, have had floods since.

A further 12 sites, with four or less properties at risk, are still outstanding.

But the report warns: "It must be understood that there are no quick fix solutions and the risk of flooding can never be completely eliminated. Flooding is a natural phenomenon and the proposed schemes are alleviation schemes."

The District Council has already allocated £200,000 to its Capital Flood Alleviation Programme and expects to pay £295,000 on this part of the scheme.

The Council is also looking for further funding from Worcestershire County Council and some parish councils.

The sites included in the report include Leys Road, Harvington; Broad Lane and Main Street, Bishampton; and Cheltenham Road, Little Beckford.