A SINLGE consultation meeting to reveal the preferred option for a flood defence scheme for Carlisle is "deplorable".

That's the view of Elsie Martlew, whose home in Caldew Maltings, Caldewgate, was flooded for a second time in December 2015.

She feels that just one drop-in session to explain the proposal to thousands of flood victims was inadequate.

The Environment Agency is hosting the consultation event at Brunton Park, in Warwick Road, on January 23, where it is keen to hear local people's thoughts on its preferred option.

Mrs Martlew said: "I just find the complacency appalling and the lack of urgency. We are into the 4th year and not a brick has been laid.

"We have been flooded and we need to know when things are going to start.

"They don't appreciate that people who have been flooded fear every time it rains.

"It's deplorable. I'm not just frustrated, I'm frightened.

"I don't want to be flooded again. Everybody who has been flooded will know exactly how I feel."

When asked whether it would broaden its consultation the Environment Agency did not wish to comment.

But The Cumberland News understands further meetings will be held in other parts of the city as the agency moves through the different phases of the project. The dates for those drop-ins are yet to be confirmed.

Information on the plans will be made available at Carlisle Library, in the Lanes Shopping Centre, and on Cumbria Strategic Floods Partnership website at www.cumbriastrategicfloodpartnership.org.