FAMILIES are being urged to wake-up to the dangers of flooding - before they wake up to a flood.

New figures from the Environment Agency show that only one person in ten takes any action to prepare for flooding sparking the warning issued on Monday.

The findings come as scientists confirm evidence of increasing winter season rainfall and river flow extremes over the past 40 years. Less than 12 months ago, the deluge of Autumn 2000 saw 2,500 homes and businesses flooded across the southern region.

Locally some of the worst hit regions were Selborne, the A31, Headley Mill and Bordon homes near the Rivers Deadwater and Wey.

However, it was other areas in the district which were the worst affected with families having to vacate their homes in Farringdon after flooding of up to ten feet.

The Environment Agency estimates that, nationwide, up to five million people live in natural floodplains and could be affected if flood waters rise again this year, endangering two million homes and 185,000 businesses. Property, land and assets worth up to £214 billion could be hit.

Despite the dramatic events of last autumn the agency is anxious that memories among those who escaped the direct impact of the floods could fade.

A national television advertising campaign which started on Monday draws on the memory of floods in 1998, 1999 and 2000, asking people starkly 'Do you really need another warning?'

The campaign urges people to 'wise up to flooding' and call the Environment Agency's 24 hour Floodline for advice on how to prepare and make homes more resistant to flood damage.

Floodline also gives details of flood warnings in force and free information on local warning services, clean-up and repairs. During last year's floods, the Floodline took 781,000 calls.

At the peak of the crisis in November, Floodline was the second most commonly dialled number after 999 and so far this year more than one in ten Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents have seized the opportunity to receive free flood warnings directly from the Environment Agency.

The agency had written to 25,000 Hampshire and Isle of Wight homes and businesses in areas at risk of flooding to recommend that they sign up to the service and so far 2,447 have registered to receive flood warnings direct to their home or workplace.

Russell Turner, regional flood warning officer said, ""Receiving a flood warning could give you the vital time you need to prepare.

"If you have received a letter and have not yet replied, I would urge you to please register for this free service now.

"It could make all the difference."

Call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.