People in Norfolk whose properties were flooded during Storm Babet could be in line for a share of £500,000 to protect their homes.

More than a hundred homes in the county were flooded when last October's storm brought heavy rain and gale-force winds.

The areas around Attleborough and Besthorpe were particularly badly hit, with people forced to wade out of their homes after floodwater rushed in.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced grants of up to £5,000 would be made available to eligible councils to help homes and businesses become more resilient to flooding.

While the money will come from central government, Norfolk County Council will be responsible for verifying the applications to the fund, which can come from householders and businesses affected by the flooding.

But it must be used for measures to protect homes from future flooding, not to tackle damage caused by flooding which has already happened.

The council said, if all the properties which had been affected applied and their bid were approved, it would see £500,000 paid out over an 18-month-period.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk county councillor Eric VardyNorfolk county councillor Eric Vardy (Image: Supplied by the Conservatives)

Eric Vardy, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment, said: "Storm Babet marked the start of a turbulent season, and the fact DEFRA are taking the damage caused seriously and putting forward funding to improve the resilience of homes and communities is very welcome.

"We’ll be contacting all eligible property owners with more information of the DEFRA grant scheme and to advise how they can prepare for any future storms.

"Those affected by subsequent storms and flooding incidents may not be eligible for this particular grant, but we in Norfolk do provide Flood Protection Grants where appropriate and if you’re worried about your property, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/floodprotectiongrants to find out more.”

Eastern Daily Press: George Freeman, MP for Mid-Norfolk, meets Carol and John Trevelyan, whose Attleborough bungalow was floodedGeorge Freeman, MP for Mid-Norfolk, meets Carol and John Trevelyan, whose Attleborough bungalow was flooded (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Meanwhile, Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, whose constituency includes Attleborough, is working to bring a Flooding Bill through parliament.

The Conservative MP wants to change the laws on planning and flooding liabilities to ensure developers, water companies and other key stakeholders fulfil their responsibilities.