Councillor Leighton is to be congratulated on her establishment of a flood support group for Spelthorne.

Spelthorne is the epicentre of the flood risk area in this part of the Thames Valley. We also have tight- fisted and thick-headed bureaucrats to deal with.

Defra are refusing to unbelt the meagre £2million needed to secure the safety of the 30,000 people most at risk in this area.

This on the specious and amazing pretext that we do not qualify on its points system.

As well as forming action groups, we should put pen to paper to our local MP demanding that the Government prioritises our needs.

If we can pour huge sums down black holes in Afghanistan and Iraq, we can surely do what it takes to protect vulnerable families here in the home counties.

ANDREW McLUSKEY Stanwell