Local Euro MP welcomes news that European Commission will provide financial assistance to Britain's flood hit areas

11.00.00am GMT Wed 31st Oct 2007

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, has welcomed this morning's statement from the European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy that the UK's bid for support for flood hit areas from the EU's Solidarity Fund will be supported. The money for the fund will go to reimburse non-insured losses, such as emergency assistance and public infrastructure costs.

From an early stage after the floods hit Yorkshire Diana Wallis lobbied the Government, including Gordon Brown, to submit a bid to the Commission.

She said: "This is really good news for Yorkshire whilst there are some still procedural hoops to go through the money could be available as early as next year and it seems as much as the €160 million (£100 million) which is certainly not to be sneezed at.

"There were times when we thought that the Government might not bother or that the system would prove too complex.

"This sum appears to be the second largest payout ever from the Solidarity Fund and should at least reinforce a more positive view in the UK that Europe is there to help and provided assistance when needed."

(Photograph shows Diana being interviewed for YTV's Calendar news programme at a flood hit area in North Ferriby)