THE wave of anger at Hereford's elementary response to a rising River Wye has reached Parliament.

After 24 hours of flooding, another big money mop up bill and sandbags still in the frontline, Hereford MP Paul Keetch has told the House of Commons that the city urgently needs flood defences for the 21st century.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett is said to be 'monitoring the situation'.

Water levels remained high yesterday (Thursday) and at times the city verged on gridlock with county roads down to one lane or impassable.