FLOOD victims in Pickering and Sinnington are being urged by campaigner Howard Keal to take part in an independent survey.

The Ryedale district councillor has backed the move by the Council for the Protection of Rural England to gather details on the cost of damage caused by the deluge in 2007.

A staunch supporter of Pickering Flood Defence Group, he said: “It is strongly in the interests of anyone who has been flooded to complete the survey.

“A major problem in the past has been that the Environment Agency has underestimated the number of homes and businesses that were damaged.

“As a consequence, the cost of flooding in Pickering is vastly underestimated which is serious because it affects investment decisions on defences.

“We know that in reality 130 properties were hit and the overall bill more than £5 million. Every bit of evidence reflecting that is important.”

Coun Keal, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Malton and Thirsk, which covers the Pickering and Sinnington, said: “At the same time I’m very anxious that the maximum number of people involved do take part.”

However, one problem, he said, is that the survey is only online, but he is urging people without a computer to go through it with a friend or contact him for help to complete it.

To get a copy of the survey, go to pickering flood survey

Coun Keal can be contacted on 01653 694546.