RURAL affairs secretary Owen Paterson visited Wiltshire to reaffirm the government's support for local efforst to improve flood alleviation.

Mr Paterson travelled to Trowbridge where he met officials from Wiltshire Council and its partners on Thursday (26 June).

Some 500 properties and 60 businesses were flooded when wet weather hit Wiltshire earlier this year.

It was the minister's third visit to the county in recent months.

Mr Paterson spoke to council officers and partners including the Environment Agency, water authorities and the Highways Agency, to hear first-hand about the flood alleviation work.

And he made assurances that the government would fully support the council and its partners to make improvements to the county's flood alleviation - including making extra funding available.

Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member with responsibility for flood alleviation said Mr Paterson's support would make a "huge difference".

Mr Seed said: "We are working closely with agencies and communities to do everything we can to minimise the impact of flooding on local residents and businesses in the future.

"Wiltshire was one of the hardest hit areas through that period of terrible weather and we were pleased to speak to the Minister again about the excellent work we have done since then, and will continue to do.

It was particularly pleasing to hear that the Minister will do all that he can to support our efforts.

That support will make a huge difference."

The visit came as DEFRA minister Dan Rogerson said the government had no plans to extend eligibility for his department's Farming Recovery Fund.

The fund, which closed on Friday (27 June), made grants available to farmers trying to recover from last winter's floods.