Tree planting could reduce flooding say experts

New research by the University of Birmingham has found natural defences, including planting more trees, could help reduce flooding.

The study, which was jointly carried out by the University of Southampton, found that planting trees could reduce the height of flooding in towns by up to 20%.

They found strategic planting on flood plains could help towns downstream reduce the "peak height" of floods.

But the scientists warned that natural flood defences would need to be combined with conventional prevention techniques.

Dr Simon Dixon, the study's lead author from the University of Birmingham'sInstitute of Forest Research, said:

Ben Lukey, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency said natural flood defences also improved water quality but was not suitable everywhere: