Anger at environment chief in flood-hit Somerset

Somerset farmer Julian Green told Lord Smith he should resign his post

Residents of the flood-hit Somerset Levels have accused Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith of "letting everyone down", as he visited the area.

Lord Smith said he had "no intention" of resigning in the face of criticism for not doing more to help but resident Jim Winkworth said he was "bloody mad" not to get an apology from the peer.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who also visited the area, promised: "Everything that can be done will be done."

It comes amid more UK weather warnings.
The prime minister travelled to the Somerset Levels and admitted there were "lessons to learn" from the situation.

 

David Cameron: "There are lessons to learn... but right now the priority is that everyone in Somerset who needs help is getting help"

Mr Cameron, who met farmers and walked through flood water in Wellington boots, said: "One of the big ones is that the pause in dredging that took place from the late 1990s - that was wrong - and we need to get dredging again."

He pledged help to those affected by floods, saying: "Clearly, people have faced a very tough time and continue to face a tough time, and that's why we have to do everything we can to help."
He added: "Everything that can be done will be done and I will make sure that happens."