AS PICKERING is still trying to get back on its feet after recent flooding, support is gathering for a campaign to demand better flood defences to protect the town.

Since the devastating deluge two weeks ago, members of the Pickering Flood Defence Group have been handing out hundreds of petition forms to residents and businesses in the town.

Last week the Gazette & Herald launched the campaign and chairman of the group, Gordon Clitheroe hopes it will pressure the Government into funding a £700,000 defence scheme.

"It's not just homes and businesses that have been affected, it's the whole town," said the curator of the Beck Isle Museum, which was badly damaged by flood water.

"People have seen on the television and in the newspapers that Pickering has been flooded and have stayed away - in what should be the busiest time of the year for the town.

"That's why this should never have to happen again. People don't deserve the misery of flooding and the town cannot suffer this kind of damage year after year. It will only get worse if nothing is done."

Many shops and businesses in the town are still closed and Ryedale Travel has just moved into a temporary home at the former Beckside Crafts building, while repairs are being carried out.

Some homeowners will have to live upstairs while workmen replace damaged floorboards and some elderly residents in Willow Court have been forced to move out completely.

"It will take months, not weeks for things to get back to normal for the people of Pickering," Mr Clitheroe added.

"We hope as many people as possible lend their support to the campaign, then hopefully the Government will have to listen."

Campaigners plan to take the bundles of signatures to London to hand them to the new environment minister, Hilary Benn.

Meanwhile, Anne McIntosh, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Thirsk and Malton and shadow floods minister, is to visit Pickering on Saturday between 11.30am and 1pm to assess the damage and to meet those affected by the floods.

Miss McIntosh said: "My heart goes out to those whose homes, businesses and property has been affected by the floods. I want to assess the flood damage for myself, and see what can be done at Westminster to help.

I shall be working closely with John Greenway, MP for Ryedale, to see how we can best help those affected.

"I have recently been appointed as shadow minister for flooding, and so I think it is extremely important that I visit Pickering and witness first-hand the effects of the recent floods.

I shall discuss with local people their concerns about the coming days and weeks, and the recovery effort. I have always been very concerned that flood defences in vulnerable areas are adequate. The effects of the floods have been wide-ranging and utterly devastating, and lessons must be learnt."

Meanwhile, Pickering's town mayor, Coun Julie Hepworth has backed both the call to the new Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn and the Gazette & Herald's for the town's proposed flood defence scheme to be made a top priority.

She said: "The Gazette's campaign is brilliant - a great idea.

"It is being promoted in all the shops in the town and at events in the town.

"I'm sure it will help to persuade the decision makers just how vital it is that Pickering gets this scheme because so much damage and heartache has been caused to families and business owners."

Coun Hepworth added: "The quantity and the violence of the rain was unbelievable and just proved that Pickering is vulnerable to flooding. Something must be done."

Some householders were probably not insured while others were under-insured but, said Coun Hepworth, the Rotary Club had worked hard raising money for the victims.

"I am also delighted that Ryedale Council was so quick to respond by offering financial help."

She said areas in Pickering had been hit which had not previously been a victim of flooding, such as Willow Court and Kingfisher Drive.

"This underlines just how serious the problem is and how important it is that the defence work goes ahead as quickly as possible."