Banffshire was hit by severe flooding at the end of last year.

Earlier this month a new £1 million Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) scheme to protect vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding in high-risk areas of the North-east of Scotland was launched in Huntly by Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead. The River Deveron is part of this new system and some of the areas benefitting from flood warnings are Banff, Avochie and Turriff.

To help the people learn more about this, and how they can use the floodline service, SEPA's floodline trailer will be visiting St Mary's car park, Low Street Banff, this Saturday, between 9am and 5pm.

SEPA representatives were also due to carry out door-to-door visits in Avochie and Turriff from yesterday (Monday) between 3pm and 8pm.

Stewart Prodger, of SEPA's flood unit, said: "These events are to inform people about how this new flood warning service works, where they can access information and, most importantly, how to use it.

"We would encourage those living in local areas at risk from river flooding, or anybody simply wishing to know more about what we are providing, to visit our information trailer on Saturday.

"The aim of any SEPA flood warning scheme is to prevent loss of life and reduce the economic damage caused by floods. We achieve this through the ability to forecast likely flood conditions and provide interpretation and warnings to those at risk.

"Rainfall and river level monitoring across the area will provide SEPA with improved information on conditions, which will then be used to provide advance warning of flooding.

"This early warning system is used to alert the police and local authorities to any potential flood threat so they can respond if necessary, but it also allows members of the public to access the information via SEPA's 24-hour Floodline information service, on 0845 988 1188 or online at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding, so local people can have crucial time to take action to protect themselves and their property."

k.ritchie@banffshire-journal.co.uk

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