Residents whose homes were devastated by floods last year when heavy rain caused ditches and drains to overfill have said they have 'absolutely no confidence' in the authorities after a new strategy was proposed.

Householders in Aldwyck Way and Velda Close, Lowestoft were left distraught in July last year after waist-high water flooded more than 30 homes.

And now they have reacted with scepticism to proposals put forward at a meeting of the Suffolk Flood Risk Management scrutiny sub committee, which discussed a new strategy to protect areas in Lowestoft that are at risk from tidal and river flooding.

The issue of tidal flooding was demonstrated by the surge in December 2013 and in July last year when river flooding caused considerable damage to areas surrounding the Kirkley stream.

Numerous recommendations were put forward during the meeting, which was attended by representatives from Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council, Anglian Water and the Environment Agency.

These included plans to educate the community and schools about the dangers posed by fly tipping and how this can lead to flooding, to encourage local residents to report all incidents of flooding, to improve communication access for the public and to establish flood volunteer groups.

However, Karen Collis, 44, a resident of Aldwyck Way, said: 'We have absolutely no confidence in the authorities.

'I am literally just waiting for it to happen again but what can we do? It is a living nightmare.'

Another Velda Close resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: 'Nobody is willing to put their hand up and say sorry it was our fault.

'I don't think the recommendations put forward will make much, if any, difference.'