ANNE McIntosh, Tory MP for the Vale of York, has probed the Government on their flood defence spending, asking them to explain recent cuts in flood defence spending.

Miss McIntosh said: "My heart goes out to all those in parts of the Vale of York and North Yorkshire such as, parts of the Thirsk and Easingwold area, Pickering and also other parts of Yorkshire, who have been severely affected by the recent flooding.

"These have been described as the worst ever recorded and resulted in such alarming devastation and the loss of four lives.

"I pay tribute to all the emergency services; the Police, Fire Brigade, Health Services, local authority staff and Environment Agency staff, who have risen to the occasion, often working in extremely dangerous conditions.

"I have written to David Milliband MP, Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, asking him to justify the cuts in flood defence spending."