More than 1,000 homes in Hyndburn are in danger of flooding with almost one in three of those at ‘significant risk’ it has been claimed.

Information from the Environment Agency obtained by Friends of the Earth shows 1,078 houses are at risk of flooding in the borough with 303 of those described as ‘significant’.

Helen Rimmer, Friends of the Earth’s north west campaigner, said the figures showed more effort needed to be made to combat climate change.

She said: “We are asking Graham Jones MP to support the call for flood defences in line with the risks posed by climate change, for more investment in renewables and to make homes energy efficient, and to reject risky fracking.”

But Mr Jones said that the council had launched a launched a scheme to insulate homes to protect them from flooding. He said: “The floods of July 2009 required a rapid response from Lancashire County Council to prevent homes on Sandy Lane and Back Lane in Baxenden being flooded from run-off from the hills.

“I had my hands in gullies trying to clear the leaves washed down which blocked gullies. And in 2008 such was the intensity of the rain, culverts from the town centre backed up to Bold Street causing rising waters under the floorboards of terraced  properties.”

Council leader Miles Parkinson said work had been done to combat flooding. He added: “A lot of work has been done with the sewers and around the Calder and the Hyndburn.”

But Conservative group leader Peter Britcliffe called for a new flood risk management strategy to be drawn up.

He said: “Agencies and the authority need to work together to reduce this risk and come up with a strategy.”

Lancashire county councillor Janice Hanson, cabinet member for public protection, said government legalisation meant agencies were already working together to manage flood risk.

She added:  “We are working with partner organisations on the ground in Hyndburn, including the Environment Agency and Hyndburn Council to ensure that people and properties are protected.”