Flood sirens 'likely' to be saved

Councillors are being advised to retain 40 of the 57 flood warning sirens around the Norfolk coast.

The county council's Fire and Community Protection Review Panel had considered scrapping the 60-year-old sirens in favour of more modern warning systems.

Following a public consultation, officers have advised the panel to scrap only 17 and for those to be used as spare parts to maintain the others.

In North Norfolk 561 of 5,000 residents sent a questionnaire responded.

The county council had looked at scrapping the sirens on grounds they had been superseded by text, phone and internet warnings to individuals.

'Proved invaluable'

The proposal was dismissed by some people living in coastal areas, and as a result a public consultation was ordered and the sirens were given a reprieve.

Ace Dann, North Norfolk District Council's civil contingencies manager, said: "We would like to thank the residents of North Norfolk who have taken time to get involved in this consultation.

"We have gathered a wealth of very useful information which has helped us build the picture of current perceptions and levels of understanding of the system.

"More specific information related to the practicalities of siren sites within individual parishes has proved invaluable."