The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has today called for the government to plan a 25-year strategy to combat the threat of serious flooding.

It wants ministers to put in place a programme of improvements, which will include increased investment, a better management structure and national targets for flood reduction.

Other measures the ABI wants implemented include tighter planning controls so that housing development would be less likely to be built in flood zones.

The recommendations are published in a report entitled, Summer Floods 2007: Learning the Lessons.

The ABI has also published the findings of a survey which revealed that 61 per cent of flood victims surveyed were concerned their area would be badly affected again.

Stephen Haddrill, from the ABI, said that the insurance industry would continue to insure homes as long as the government did its bit.

He said: "The right decisions from the government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the UK."

The after effects of the devastating summer floods are still being felt with reports that hundreds of people are still living in makeshift accommodation waiting for their homes to be made habitable.

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