More cash is to be pumped into flood defences in the Aire and Wharfe river corridors by the Environment Agency.

The 60 per cent hike in spending has been agreed by the Yorkshire Regional flood defence committee, which is made up of representatives from local authorities, including Bradford.

It means £523 million will be spent over the next ten years in the region, an increase of £220 million on last year's decision.

Environment Agency bosses have earmarked a series of locations, especially along the River Aire, for special attention. They include the Castlefields and Ireland Bridge area of Bingley and the centres of Skipton and Shipley.

Studies will also be set up in Skipton, Bingley and Shipley to establish the cause of flooding and to suggest options for improvement.

In the devastating floods of November 2000, the River Aire burst its banks at Baildon Bridge, Shipley, and part of the Springs canal was flooded when Eller Beck overflowed in Skipton.

Other locations which will be scrutinised are the Cononley flood plain near Skipton, flood defences at Cross Hills, near Skipton, and in the villages of Gargrave and Kildwick.

On the River Wharfe, flood experts will evaluate problems on the Ilkley stretch of the river, at Bolton Bridge near Addingham and in parts of Otley.