PEOPLE in parts of Wisbech at some risk of flooding are being urged to sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct, a free service that sends you a message by telephone, mobile, e-mail, text message or fax when a flood is possible.

Staff from the Environment Agency have been knocking on doors of about 1,500 homes in the town over the past 10 days to encourage residents to register with the service and inform them about the removal of two sirens that were previously used to send out warnings.

The sirens are being removed on April 6/7 and 11. One is at Orchards Primary School, the other at Thomas Clarkson Community College. Environment Agency staff will be on site to answer any residents’ questions and offer advice.

Neither siren has been operated for years, following a series of improvements made to the town’s defences in the 1980s. Last year further reinforcements were made along North and South Brink and a new floodgate introduced in the Port area.

This means that the likelihood of flooding in Wisbech is low.

However, Laura Harrison of the Environment Agency said: “Despite all the work that has been done, there will always be some risks and people need to be properly prepared and able to respond quickly and effectively.”

• To register with Floodline Warnings Direct, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188. Residents can check whether their property is at risk by entering their postcode on www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodanglian or calling Floodline.