MONEY has been made available for households and businesses hit by flooding as a result of Storm Dennis.

Wyre Forest District Council has today announced immediate financial support for those affected.

A quarter of million pounds is also being set aside by Worcestershire County Council to help flood hit communities get back on their feet following the worst flooding in Wyre Forest for 20 years.

It comes after the Government's confirmation late last night (Tuesday) of a support package for councils in flood-stricken areas.

The district council is granting 100 per cent council tax and business rates relief for three months for dwellings or business premises that were flooded - where it already has confirmation of flooding.

This applies to a number of properties in Bewdley, Wolverley and Stourport.

The council will send notification of the relief by post or email.

Any household or business that has been flooded and thinks it may be eligible for this support should get in touch with the Hub at Green Street, Kidderminster by emailing customerservices@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or calling 01562 732928.

District council leader Graham Ballinger said: "With the Government’s confirmation of funding support last night, it is right that we should move immediately to ensure that affected households and businesses receive financial support as quickly as possible.

"We will also be putting in place arrangements to administer financial hardship payments for affected households and business recovery grants for small and medium enterprises that have uninsured losses.

“I would encourage anyone who has been flooded and thinks that they require council tax or business rates relief or help from the other financial support schemes to get in contact with the Hub.

“It is disappointing that the Government’s announcement does not include recovery grants for farmers similar to those announced last November and, with colleagues in other affected areas, we will continue to press the Government to address that important sector.”

County council leader Simon Geraghty added: "We welcome the Government announcement and we will do our best to help all of those householders and businesses in Worcestershire who are eligible for the financial hardship payments to access the support that they need by proactively deploying our staff in the areas affected.

“In addition to those funds, the County Council is immediately setting aside £250,000 to support communities in Worcestershire who have been affected by the floods.

"I was in Tenbury and in Bewdley yesterday and I saw at first hand the impact that has been caused by the flooding. I want to help towns such as Tenbury, and others across the county, to recover as quickly as they can.

“Together with our district council colleagues we will work out the details of how these emergency funds can be accessed but I want to reassure communities who have been affected by the floods that help is on its way.

Wyre Forest Council is also offering free bulky waste collections to anyone in the district who has suffered flooding to their property and has damaged goods.