THE Environment Age-ncy's Hampshire and Isle of Wight flood defence committee has approved a budget of £7.25 million for the next financial year - an increase of £250,000.

Members also supported raising £566,000 under new funding arrangements, which means that more money is received directly from central government reducing the burden on council taxpayers from an average 85p per household to 77p per household.

Area manager Peter Quarmby said: "The events of the past few years and the increasing flood risk resulting from climate change show the importance of the agency's flood defence work."