Fears have been raised that parts of east London could suffer devastating flooding this summer if the River Roding's flood defences are not improved.

Critics claim inadequate maintenance by the Environment Agency (EA) has undermined the river's capacity to cope with excess water caused by recent heavy rainfall, raising the danger of it bursting its banks.

Richard Cooper, of Redbridge Flood Forum (RFF), says urgent action is needed to shore up the river's defences if the area is to avoid a repeat of the massive flooding of November 2000.

He said: "Large scale flooding of the Roding is a real possibility at the moment because some of its defences are inadequate and simply not up to the job.

"With the unprecedented level of rainfall we have been experiencing this summer it seems only a matter of time before it bursts its banks again.

"The river's banks, which help to absorb excess water, have been significantly eroded recently and they need to be repaired to help it cope with this wet weather."

These views were backed by Janet Morris, of Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, who accused the EA of failing to offer adequate flooding advice and support to residents living near the river.

She said: "We are right next to the Roding here, and we don't want to see hundreds of people forced out of their homes like they were back in 2000.

"The EA doesn't seem to be doing anything proactive to prevent another flood happening, like clearing some of the reeds from the river.

"It's disappointing that they haven't offered us any real support or help."

Church End ward councillor, Richard Hoskins, says it is only a matter of luck the area has avoided a major flood so far this year.

He said: "It is lucky we haven't received the same level of rainfall as other parts of the country because the Roding would certainly have flooded and whole areas of Redbridge would now be under water."

A spokesman for the EA said there was no evidence to suggest the flooding of the Roding was imminent.

She said: "The River Roding is well within its banks and there is no heavy rainfall forecast.

"There is a flood risk strategy being considered for the river and in the meantime we are maintaining and keeping the river clear for flow."