Keswick's new MP has pledged to fight for better flood protection for the town.

Attending Keswick Town Council for the first time last night, Conservative MP Trudy Harrison said she would push for action to control the amount of water flowing downstream from Thirlmere.

She said: "I understand that in Keswick flooding remains a significant issue."

Mrs Harrison said she had already spoken to the Environment Agency about the desire of communities across the area to implement flood mitigation plans.

Councillor Paul Titley said measures must be put in place to require United Utilities to address flood risk from Thirlmere reservoir.

Referring to a list of possible projects to help address flood risk, compiled by the Environment Agency, Coun Titley said: "Thirlmere is a huge threat to Keswick.

"If Thirlmere gets a bit full towards the end of the summer or early autumn it's an enormous threat because any storm that comes in winter has nowhere to go but straight down the Greta and into my house and a lot of other people's houses.

"The one thing missing from the plan is to tell the water company to look after the threatened resident of Keswick should we have another big storm."

Coun David Burn said: "We desperately need something doing with Thirlmere. It's three quarters of the answer to Keswick's problems. Anything you can do to push it through would be much appreciated."

Coun Tony Lywood called on Mrs Harrison to help put pressure on water regulator Ofwat to address the problem.

She said: "I certainly support what you're trying to achieve and I'll press for it."