Communities across Bradford are being asked to get involved in a new initiative to deal with flooding.

Groups are to be set up in areas in danger of being flooded to put together action plans, which will include emergency numbers, details of people who may need help and places to go for help before, during and after floods.

The plans will be specific for each neighbourhood and will be distributed to all its residents.

Bradford Council has set aside resources for 10 groups. It is hoped that these will act as a pilot for the area and the scheme could be extended to other Bradford communities.

The initiative is the first for new development worker Glen Miller who has been appointed by Bingley Voluntary Action and the Council to work with residents in flood-affected areas and liaise with local authorities and funding agencies.

Mr Miller, a former Conservative councillor for the Worth Valley, will spend the next 16 months working with the 10 communities chosen.

He said: "I have been going out to communities where we know there have been problems and giving a presentation about the scheme.

"We are asking people to form small committees with a chairman, secretary, and so on.

"They will then put together the plan, which will include emergency numbers, where people should go for blankets, and sandbags and so on.

"Then people will have all the information to hand on a simple piece of paper. If it floods, this is like a shopping list so people know exactly what they have to do and who to contact. It's about being proactive rather than reactive."

Mr Miller said the groups could also liaise with manufacturers of flood prevention measures, such as covers for air vents and barriers to protect houses and he would assist them to access funding for such items.

They could also lobby Bradford Council to ensure gullies are cleared and drains unblocked.

He said: "These community groups then become a voice. For example when there is a planning application they can ask for measures to be put in place to prevent flooding."

Mr Miller saw first hand the devastation suffered in Stockbridge, near Keighley, in 2000 when approximately 300 homes were flooded.

He said a number of lessons had been learnt from that experience which highlighted the need for such a measure.

Anyone interested in forming a committee can ring Mr Miller on (01274) 787921 or go along to a meeting on Tuesday, October 26, in the Victoria Hall, Saltaire, at 7.30pm to find out more.