VOLUNTEERS will be recruited to tackle flooding in Salisbury.

City councillors were told at Monday’s full council meeting that working groups have been set up to co-ordinate with local agencies and Wiltshire Council will be looking for volunteer flood wardens.

Cllr Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for communities, campuses, area boards, leisure, libraries and flooding, said: “We know we can’t stop flooding. When flooding comes it happens across the county at the same time and everyone wants resources at the same time.

“What we are trying to do now is put as much out into the community so the community can do as much as it can to alleviate flooding.”

Volunteers will be provided with training and equipment, which he said would allow them to start doing things themselves because the “community knows best” and “knows what needs doing”.

Wiltshire Cllr Richard Clewer, speaking after the meeting, said: “Some of the ground levels have risen in the last two weeks and are higher than this time last year. We need to be doing everything we can – sooner rather than later.”

For more information about becoming a flood warden email renate-malton @wiltshire.gov.uk.