A NORTH Yorkshire businessman is building his own flood defences after thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused during two devastating floods.

Iain Dale, who lives near Low Marishes, outside Malton, says he has been forced to take the drastic measures to protect the home he and his family have lived in since 1977.

Mr Dale, who is an ambassador for British business and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list earlier this year, brought in diggers and heavy plant equipment to construct flood banks outside the house.

He said: "We have been flooded twice, in 2000 and 2001, and our library was very badly flooded.

"The flood banks will give us about 18 inches of extra height over and above the most recent flood."

Mr Dale said the construction had to be privately funded by the family.

He said: "It's a Grade II Listed house so it is very important to preserve it, but there are no grants available from heritage organisations for flood remedial work.

"It's going to cost about £16,000 out of my own pocket, but the council won't fund it because it is just one house.

"I am disappointed because you would have thought there was no difference between the people who have been flooded in Malton and Norton, and those in Low Marishes. But then, on the other hand, it seems the money spent on protecting just one family could be a bit disproportionate."

Mr Dale said he was hoping to have the flood banks finished in time for the autumn.

"We are looking forward to staying dry and warm in the winter with no flooding. It's one of those things that you have to do to keep your home together. I believe that if you are going to do these things you have to do them properly - especially if you are looking at a house that is worth up to £1m."

After the first flood, Mr Dale said he spent around £7,000 raising the floor level in the library and fitting a waterproof plinth underneath, with a further £8,000 spent by insurers. He said: "It means we will have spent around £22,000 making the house absolutely watertight, but you have to spend the money to keep it shipshape."

Updated: 08:49 Wednesday, July 24, 2002