The UK is among the few countries in the world in which flood insurance is available on the free market, a leading insurance industry body has said.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that it hopes that this summer's floods won't affect the provision of flood insurance - but adds that the government may have to invest in flood defence if the product is to stay on the market.

"The UK is pretty much unique in that flood insurance is widely available," an ABI spokesperson commented.

"It has been since the early sixties and we see no reason why that can't continue. We want it to continue, but in the face of increase in flood risk, it is dependent on the government spending the money that is needed and spending it now."

In most other countries, flood insurance is only available through state-backed schemes.

The BBC has reported that 60,000 homes were hit by flooding this summer.

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