MEMBERS of the public will have their say on flood defences in Upton early next year.

Officials from the Environment Agency met last week with town and district councillors and the emergency services.

The agency has proposed using lightweight portable barriers, which can be set up on the riverbank when floods threaten. These have proved successful elsewhere, including Worcester.

Agency spokesman Oliver Blackburn said: "We also discussed issues such as road closures and traffic management when the river floods."

He said there would probably be another meeting later in December, followed by a public consultation in January.