As winter approaches, and the threat of flooding looms, a drill will test the borough emergency control centre to see how well it would cope with flooding.

More than 35 staff will take part in the exercise, with 10 staff acting as facilitators.

The aim of the drill on Tuesday, October 14, is to increase the number of staff with an understanding of the response arrangements, while providing the chance for a trial run of their roles.

Portfolio holder for corporate development Councillor Ruth Mitchell said: "It's during this time of year, before the winter and rainy season starts, that we should all be taking steps to prepare ourselves and our homes.

"That means taking the time to think about the risks and making sure everyone has a plan in place to deal with any event that may occur."

Flooding at the end of last year caused wide spread damage for the borough.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We strongly encourage local councils to have an emergency planning flood response plan for their local communities.

"Being prepared for flooding helps bring the community together, strengthen resilience and improve flood response for the future. We are committed to working with professional partners, including local councils, to understand and plan for the risks of flooding."