Only a complete new drainage system will stop flooding in Flimby, a local councillor says.

Maryport town councillor and Flimby flood victim, Carol Tindall, told a flood forum in the village on Thursday night that options being considered were inadequate.

Doug Coyle, Cumbria County Council development management manager, told her that around £1.5 million has been allocated for flood protection in Flimby.

He said: "If we used that to build a new drainage system we would protect only a handful of houses. We are looking for a scheme designed for the whole village."

He was speaking at a flood forum in the village held by the county council and Environment Agency.

Mr Coyle, Andrew Harrison, a county management development officer, and Matt Crump, operations manager for the Environment Agency presented proposals for flood protection in the village.

They said these were interim proposals, however, and they would report back in June with a more definite programme.

Plans included creating two bunds or embankments near Farmer's Way and Elm Avenue to hold back water.

They are also looking at installing a camera near Barrel Arch which, when it over tops, causes about half the flooding in the village according to county councillor Keith Little, who chaired the meeting.

The camera would be monitored to give an early warning of rising water levels.

Investigations were also being carried to to look at how water could be slowed down, the meeting heard.

The men were told, however, that 15 months after Storm Desmond there were still culverts half full of debris, including the one going under the railway line.

Mr Crump said there has been issues getting access to that part of the culvert but he would look into it.

Mr Crump also spoke about manpower issues.

He said: "During Storm Desmond the village started flooding within 20 minutes. Unfortunately the more that is spent on flood defence the smaller the resource we have to spend on people.

"Flimby is fairly remote and we need to be able to have people here to clean the culverts if they are getting blocked and to respond immediately to flood threats."

Mr Little suggested that the county council could help.

Lawrence Tinnion of West End View, who has been flooded seven times, said he was glad something was being done but stressed the need for urgency.

A new Flimby Flood Action Committee has been set up. Spokesman Andrew Bell of Coniston Avenue has urged villagers with concerns and ideas to attend a meeting in the social club at 7pm on Wednesday, March 15.