RESIDENTS who were hit by some of the biggest floods in a generation are finally going to get a voice to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Parts of Prestolee and nearby Stoneclough were left underwater after torrential rainfall caused the River Irwell to burst its banks on Boxing Day, 2015.

Riverside Drive, in Prestolee was the worst affected area with cars and homes submerged in water.

Last weekend, the water levels in the River Irwell once again rose to worrying levels and some residents deployed flood barriers and moved their belongings to higher ground.

To avoid any repeat problems, the Environment Agency has now called on the community to view and comment on proposals on how flood risk is managed in the coming years.

As part of the Agency’s proposals, a drop-in session will be held this Thursday, at Holy Trinity Prestolee, in Church Road.

The event will take place from 3pm to 6pm with Environment Agency officers on hand to discuss and answer any questions residents may have.

Nick Pearson, Senior Flood and Coastal Risk Management Adviser with the Environment Agency said, “Over the past 12 months, we have been working with our area partners to understand flood risk in Prestolee and Stoneclough and to develop measures that could be put in place to reduce that risk.

“The upcoming drop-in session gives us a great opportunity to share all of these development options with local residents and gain further local knowledge and insight around the proposals going forward.”