An investigation has shone a light on the number of flood defences falling below the required standard, which could leave homes and businesses at risk.

About 11pc of the 3,000 defences across Norfolk are in a declining condition.

Of these, 180 are considered "high consequence", which means if they fail it could have serious implications for the area they are meant to be protecting.

The statistics speak to a growing concern that more needs to be done to maintain flood defences to ensure people and property is kept safe.

Environment Agency engineers build a portable flood barrier as part of a flood defense excerise in King's Lynn. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Matthew Usher)

'BELOW STANDARD'

The figures have been obtained by the BBC Shared Data Unit, revealing the condition of nearly 95,000 defences across the UK inspected by the Environment Agency.

A flood defence is defined as any asset that provides protection from rivers, sea or standing water.

Traditional flood defences, such as flood walls and embankments, confine water to river channels, preventing it spilling out in particularly vulnerable areas like towns and cities.

Defences are defined as "high consequence" if they protect multiple homes and businesses.

Flooding in Martham (Image: Mike Page)

Nationally, about 8.6pc of all flood defences are below their target condition.

But at a local........

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