Insurers have called on the government to put a single body in charge of flooding.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) said one organisation should be given responsibility for co-ordinating the effort to prevent future floods.

This follows the devastation caused by flooding across Britain last year.

Insurers paid out more than £3.5 billion in claims for damaged homes, businesses and vehicles.

"We believe the government should appoint a single body to take overall responsibility for flooding and to co-ordinate a unified approach with the various stakeholders," said Graeme Trudgill, BIBA's technical and corporate affairs executive.

"Defra should have ultimate responsibility, with the Environment Agency managing the overarching operations with the local authorities and other stakeholders."

Since the flooding, insurers have been unconvinced by government action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Ministers are pressing ahead with plans to build three million new homes, up to two thirds of which could be on the flood plain, and there has been no immediate increase in funding for flood prevention.

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