DATA analysis by an environmental campaign group suggests there are more than 2,500 homes at risk of flooding in Wyre Forest.

The district's Friends of the Earth branch has looked at information released by the Environment Agency following recent flooding and says it believes 2,533 homes in Wyre Forest are at low, moderate or significant risk, with 642 at significant risk.

The Environment Agency considers homes with a chance of flooding between one in 200 and one in 1,000 as low risk, between one in 75 and one in 200 as moderate risk and significant risk homes have more than a one in 75 chance.

Wyre Forest Friends of the Earth campaigner Phil Oliver said: "Flooding is devastating for anyone affected by it and as a country we must do much more to prepare for the impacts of climate change. Without proper investment in flood defences hundreds of thousands more homes could be put at risk of flooding.

"Prevention is better than cure so it's also vital the Government redouble efforts to stop climate change becoming worse. We are asking MPs to support the call for flood defences in line with the risk posed by climate change."

The claim comes after financial support was made available for Wyre Forest business affected by the recent flooding. Worcestershire Business Central, the county-wide business support service, in partnership with district councils - including Wyre Forest's - is managing the assistance.

Grants of up to £3,000 will be awarded from funds supplied by central Government and supplemented by a total of £200,000 from Worcestershire County Council.

Applications are being assessed as either priority one - businesses that have had water in their premises or priority two - businesses that have been indirectly affected by the flooding of the road where it trades. Applications must be made by March 21.

Flooded businesses will be able to apply to their local district council for business rate relief for a period of three months. From April 1, a non-means tested grant of up to £5,000 will be open to applications from householders and businesses to pay for repairs.

Wyre Forest businesses are included in the support package, after being left out of the first tranche of funding from central Government.

Conservative John Campion, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "The district council worked with partner agencies to ensure that properties were protected and our businesses were able to continue to trade.