RYEDALE villagers have demanded that action be taken to prevent a mill race that runs along the bottom of their gardens from flooding their homes.

In Kirkby Mills, near Kirkbymoorside, villagers have been flooded in October 2000 and August 2002.

On February 1 their homes were threatened with saturation for a third time.

High flows in the River Dove, which runs past the village, swell the mill race causing overflow.

This is accompanied by surcharges from a combined sewer overflow pipeline, which discharges into the river upstream of the A170, so floodwater is often contaminated by raw sewage.

Now Kirkby Mills residents want the Environment Agency, and other authorities involved, to take immediate action to protect their homes.

Karen Tinkler, who runs The Cornmill guest house with her husband Chris, Therese and William Young, and their daughter, Lisa, and Alf and Myra Jones, all called for the river to be dredged, and bankside trees to be cut back.

"The dove is normally a sign of love, but it's a sign of hate for the people who live here.

"Once it starts raining, people start worrying," said Coun Nigel Richardson, vice-chairman of Kirkbymoorside Town Council. "We tend to get forgotten about here, we hear so much about the flood alleviation schemes in Malton and Pickering, but there's been nothing for Kirkby Mills."

Elaine Lea said: "I'd like to see someone's head on the block. Unless you've been flooded you've no idea of the devastation you feel. It's almost like losing someone you love when all your stuff is gone.

"We've had a battle with the insurance too. We used to get building and contents insurance for £150 a year. Since the flooding it's gone up ten times to £1,500."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "A phase one flood risk mapping study for the River Dove at Kirkby Mills and Keldholme has recently been completed. This study will enable the agency to put it forward for inclusion in the long-term plan for flood alleviation capital works."

He added this would enable a more detailed investigation into the flooding problem and possible solutions.

Work will be prioritised against the flood risk areas, which will determine when work starts.

The spokesman said the agency would carry out channel clearance and cut back bankside growth.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, February 26, 2004