HITCHIN MP Alistair Strathern has called for local stakeholders to come together to improve the area's flood resilience.

 Over recent days Mr Strathern's office has received many 'heartbreaking' stories from constituents detailing flooded homes, businesses and gardens, creating serious damage.

He says that points to the need not only for more assistance now for those affected, but significant improvements in the area's flooding resilience, mitigation and infrastructure.

 And he adds that, following the floods, it is vitally important for local stakeholders to meet, discuss improvements to their joint operations and begin planning for the next flooding incident.

 Mr Strathern said: "The floods would have been far worse if not for our heroic local fire fighters, emergency services and local volunteer groups. I would like to pay tribute to their efforts and thank them for keeping us all safe.

 "The men and women from our emergency services and volunteers across our towns and villages did a fantastic and heroic job to keep everyone in our communities safe.

"It's vital joined up action is taken to reduce the risk of future flooding. I'm calling on our local authorities across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to come together to ensure our next large flooding event does far less damage."