THE tide is high but a waterside pub landlord sees no reason to hold on in a panic.

Dave Horner, boss of Lancaster's historic Waggon and Horse pub on St George's Quay, has few worries about his lounge being awash with River Lune water - even though the tides can get high at certain times.

"I have been in the pub for five years and in all that time we have been flooded once - that was in 2001," says Mr Horner.

"Very often it looks worse than it is and at the end of the day there is no point getting into a panic about it.

"The Floodwatch service is very good and gives you advanced warnings when the river is about to go over the top of the bank and they are pretty accurate."

He goes on: "It is inconvenient when a place floods but if you live next to a river you have to expect to get your feet wet occasionally."

Floodwatch is run by the Environment Agency and a spokesman told the Citizen: "People in areas at risk of flooding can sign up for the service because it does seem to work although I would advise people living next to a tidal river to keep an eye open for any change in weather because that can make a difference."

Flood warnings can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk