BUSINESSES met on Monday night to discuss action plans on how to continue running their companies in the event of a flooding disaster.

Organised by the Business Improvement District, more than 30 attended the meeting at the Kings Head in Salisbury.

Steve Godwin, BID business manager, said: "We are told by the Environment Agency, it isn't a case of if Salisbury floods, but when.

"We don't want to alarm people - businesses should be made aware of potential flooding and those in Fisherton Street and Bridge Street are at high risk.

"The information evening was about encouraging businesses to put together a plan of action on how to run their business if it floods."

Nick Reed and Vicky Farwig from the Environment Agency, gave a presentation at the meeting, with Wiltshire councillor Richard Clewer also there urging businesses to take action.

Mr Godwin said: "It is vital that all businesses register with the Environment Agency to receive Flood Alerts and prepare a flood plan in accordance with their recommendations so they know immediately what steps to take should a flood warning be issued, and can take steps to prepare themselves and their business against disaster.

"If flooding occurs, everyone in Salisbury will be hit hard as loss of services, vehicular access, deliveries, IT services, drainage failure etc will be universal, not just affecting those at ground floor level.

"The last time the area flooded was in 1915 and there are some very graphic pictures.

"Last year, the city was very close to flooding and in the past couple of weeks we have had considerable rain with water now beginning to sit in large pools in fields and open spaces around Salisbury.

"This could be an indication that the water table is rising."

For more details on steps to take in preparation for flooding visit salisburybid.co.uk or environment-agency.gov.uk