THERE are 8,165 homes at flood risk across East Lancashire, including 1,257 judged by the Environment Agency to be at significant risk.

The new figures cover five constituencies.

Friends of the Earth’s north-west campaigner Helen Rimmer called for MPs to support investment in defences and said: “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.”

In Blackburn 1,478 homes are at risk, nine significantly; in Hyndburn the figures are 1,078 and 303; Burnley 1,427 and 216; Pendle 1,514 and 229; and Rossendale and Darwen 2,668 and 500.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “The borough has suffered flooding. The floods of July 2009 required a rapid response from Lancashire County Council to prevent homes on Sandy Lane and Back Lane in Baxenden being flooded.”