Floods 'to engulf the North East'

More than 1,000 homes were affected in the Morpeth floods

Floods will submerge much of the north east of England in the next 75 years, researchers have predicted.

Dr Hayley Fowler, of Newcastle University, has warned that deluges like that which flooded Morpeth last year will become commonplace by 2080.

She said that severe storms will take hold of the region and rainfall could increase by up to 30%.

More homes will be at risk from flooding, particularly in autumn and winter months when the ground is wet.

Dr Fowler's study found that as the earth became warmer, the ground would be able to hold more moisture and that Britain will get wetter.

She said: "Floods are no longer going to be freak events. All 13 models we looked at predict increases in extreme rainfall in winter, autumn and spring by 2080 although the percent increase varies.

"This has major implications for flood risk management. We need to be looking now at where we build new homes, drainage systems and water storage in order to protect our homes and businesses from flooding in the future."

Last September more than 1,000 properties in Morpeth were affected when the River Wansbeck broke its banks.