The official report into the summer floods of 2007, which accounted for 13 lives and saw thousands of businesses and homes flooded, has made a number of recommendations designed to prevent a repeat.

The proposals include new building regulations for areas that are susceptible to flooding and a new centre run by the Met Office and the Environment Agency with the aim of providing more accurate warnings of floods.

There will also be a requirement for local authorities to create a comprehensive map of all drainage and streams in the area specifying who is responsible for their upkeep.

"Implementing these recommendations will need powerful, Cabinet-level leadership," said Sir Michael Pitt, who headed the review. "We can be much better prepared. In fact, we are already better prepared now than a year ago."