THE south west regional flood defence committee, a division of the Environment Agency, has revealed that it has £1 million earmarked for future Teignmouth schemes.

The news came after the agency received a 4.4 per cent increase, which equates to £401,764, in funding from Plymouth and Torbay unitary authorities and Cornwall and Devon county councils.

That decision brings the total flood defence budget to £14.7 million – an increase of £2.2 million on last year.

The committee is still looking at ways in which it can improve flood protection in Teignmouth, so no particular projects as yet are set in stone.

But Bridget Norris, spokeswoman for the Environment Agency, explained that the money was likely to be used on improving flood walls on the seafront.

She said: 'The 4.4 per cent increase means that we can continue our progress on making higher and more comprehensive flood walls on Teignmouth front.

'We have money set aside for work which is scheduled for 2004, 2005 and the following year which amounts to £1 million.'

As well as flood protection, the budget is also used to improve the flood warning and forecasting service, maintenance and investigation into future flood problems.