The government needs to get spending in order to reduce the risk of major flooding, insurers have urged.

Ministers have been warned that investment in flood defences cannot wait and that money needs to go in now to avoid a repeat of the devastating scenes witnessed this summer.

Britain endured the worst flooding in recent memory with insurers picking up a £3 billion tab for damage to homes and businesses.

The government has said it will increase spending by 2011, but the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) believes action is needed right away.

"We are urging the government to spend their money now," said Graeme Trudgill, technical services director at the BIBA.

"They have promised £800 million to be spent on this by 2011 but we are saying they need to spend that money now."

Up to 60,000 homes were damaged by the summer floods, which followed three months rainfall that was around twice the usual level.

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