An estimated 300 homes on the outskirts of Norwich are at risk of flooding, council bosses have revealed.

The Drayton area is vulnerable to flooding during extreme rainfall because three natural surface drainage routes converge in the village, experts say.

The homes were identified after a survey was carried out by Norfolk County Council and other local councils, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water and specialist consultants URS/Scott Wilson.

With memories of the terrible flooding in Cumbria and Cornwall in recent years fresh in the mind, those agencies were asked to draw up a surface management plan for the Norwich area, which was how the Drayton homes came to be identified as vulnerable.

Agencies will today talk to families about the issue, and will ask for help in drawing up an action plan to combat it.

Tony Adams, county councillor for Drayton, said: 'Having two years ago visited two properties in Low Road, Drayton, which had been severely flooded after a massive thunderstorm, I saw for myself the devastation and heartache that flooding causes.

'Carpets and electrical equipment had to be thrown out, and there was great difficulty in drying out the property once the water had receded. Any measures that can be taken to stop this happening to any more families has my total support.'

People living in properties within the potential flood risk area have been invited to find out more at a 'drop-in' evening today at the King George V Room, in Drayton High Road, from 4pm to 8.30pm. Families will be able to find out about the level of risk to their property and discuss the implications with experts. They will also be able to contribute their own experiences and consider ways in which flooding risks can be reduced for themselves and for others, which will be fed into an action plan.

Action which might need to be taken includes improvements to drainage, such as new storm water drains or tanks underground to store water.

Have you got a Drayton story for us? Call Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk