FLOOD victims in Rotherham are being given a new type of sandbag to protect their homes if disaster strikes again.
Around 180 homes are being given FloodSax devices - a sandbag which absorbs water and forms a barrier to prevent flooding.
The sandbags can block vulnerable points such as doorways - and are light so they can be moved easily.
They last for up to five years - much longer than traditional sandbags which begin to fall to bits after a few months.
Flood Recovery Minister John Healey was in Catcliffe to watch some of the bags being handed over to past flood victims.
Graham Lindsey of the Environment Agency said: "While future flood prevention measures are being planned for Catcliffe it is also important that members of the public increase their own state of readiness and resilience to floods."
Graham Kaye,of Rotherham Council's environment and development services, said: "FloodSax are now another element of an increasingly robust flood defence strategy in Rotherham.
"Once they have been correctly positioned they provide an effective barrier against floodwater."
READ MOREYour letters.
Today's features.Latest sport.Main news index.The full article contains 193 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
