A key government minister and the head of the body representing local government across the country have praised City of York Council's role in responding to floods in the city.

MP Elliot Morley, minister at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of the local government association, have written jointly to every local council leader in the country highlighting City of York Council's key role in the November 2000 floods.

York is only one of five councils in the country mentioned in the letter which focuses on the provision of sandbags.

But the letter also praises City of York Council's role generally - in setting up a round-the-clock flood information line during the floods, working with the media and using its own website to provide up-to-the-minute information on the flood situation and how help could be obtained.

The council's pioneering flood recovery plan is also praised for ensuring that residents hit by flooding could get advice with issues such as alternative accommodation, drying out and insurance claims.

Barry Kelly, the council's emergency planning co-ordinator, said, "The events of November 2000 had not been witnessed in York for many years. Many people had to face problems they hadn't previously experienced and it is credit to the people of York and the responding authorities that we were able to tackle the issues raised and deal with the challenge in such a fashion.

"The letter acknowledges the work done by officers of the city council and is an acknowledgement of their commitment to the people of York.

"Of course, more than 300 homes were flooded and none of us has been complacent in seeking ways to reduce the impact on the community. We have all thoroughly reviewed the way we dealt with the challenge and searched to draw up plans for an even better response."

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