RIVERSIDE residents have united to fight for flood defences to save their homes from being swamped.

The St George's Quay Residents Association has re-formed as the Quay Residents and Owners Association Flood Action Committee.

The change comes after one home-owner called for locals to pull together and force the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council to put up flood defences along the River Lune in Lancaster.

Richard Norris was inundated with support at a meeting on Monday.

He says fellow residents are disgusted that their homes will not receive protection from floods - despite the fact flooding is expected.

He told the Citizen that other parts of the Quay were protected and that failure to build flood defences on the stretch where he lives means Lancaster City Council is discriminating' against the residents.

Now the new committee, which formed on Monday, aims to put pressure on the Environment Agency and city council to solve the present and future flooding problems.

Says Mr Norris: "We will ensure that the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council give due consideration to all possible solutions and, when firm proposals are made, that all the residents and owners are made aware of the proposals and have the opportunity to vote - unlike last time when the council had decided what the result would be before consulting people."

The pensioner, who has already threatened to take the city council to the European Court of Human Rights, adds: "We feel very strongly about that fact that we have been neglected and we will fight all the way, although peacefully."