A PUZZLED Hereford resident has expressed his surprise after being contacted by the Environment Agency warning him of the threat of flooding to his home.

Edward Bancroft-Harris, of Springfield Avenue, Hunderton, received a letter from the agency informing him that his home was at risk of flooding. He was requested to register for flood warnings.

He said: "The elevation that my home is at would indicate that my home is not at risk from flooding as we are on a rise, and if we flooded, then the whole of Hereford city would be under water," said Mr Bancroft-Harris.

"While I appreciate that they (EA) are on the whole doing a good job by informing residents as to the risk of flooding in their homes, I think that the problem has been generalised.

In a statement, the agency said it had been mailing all properties within the flood plain, warning residents that they are at risk from flooding and telling them how they can protect themselves.

"Our aim is to raise awareness of the risk and to request residents to register for the agency's flood warning service," it said.

The agency said the Hereford flood map was produced using information from a national generalised model and detailed local studies, and defines annual probability flood outlines.

Mr Bancroft-Harris also voiced concern that his home insurance could be affected and increase as a consequence. However, the agency assured the Hereford Times that receiving mailings or being registered for the flood warning service would not affect home insurance.

It added: "The agency is required by government to make our flood maps and flood risk data publicly available. Insurance companies use this information, alongside their own data, to decide whether to offer flooding insurance and under what terms. We do not give out information about who is registered to receive flood warnings to insurance companies.

"Our priority is to protect people and property from flooding. People can't take action to protect themselves if they don't know they are at risk."