The time has come for insurance companies to reduce home insurance premium rates.

That is the message from Carlisle MP, Eric Martlew, who has made the demand on behalf of his constituents in the Warwick Road area of the town.

They were badly hit by flooding three years ago, but Mr Martlew argues that as flood defences have now been built the cost of insurance should come down.

"Now that the flood defences are constructed to a level which would protect against a one-in-200-year flood, insurance companies should recognise this when premiums are being renewed," he told the Cumberland News newspaper.

"Since the floods the insurance premiums have risen steeply and now is the time for companies to adjust to the new situation," he added.

The other problem, he said, was that some households were having trouble even getting insurance cover at any price.

Any hope of insurers reconsidering premium rates for properties in low-lying areas were dealt another blow last year after more devastating floods hit the Midlands and Yorkshire causing £3 billion worth of damage.

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