PEOPLE living along a stretch of the By Brook near West Kington and Castle Combe could soon benefit from an early warning flood system.

The Environment Agency wants to install specialist equipment which will alert its central operations room, and in turn, the people living in the area, of rising flood water.

Mike Dunning, a spokesman for the agency, said: "The gauge will provide an early warning service and in particular will improve things for people living in an area close to West Kington, known locally as Middle Hill."

At least 58 homes are at risk along a couple of miles of By Brook and if North Wiltshire District Council approves the agency's planning application, construction work will start next month.

The equipment will only take two months to install and the agency hopes the early warning system will be up and running by the start of 2003.

"The gauge lets the agency know when the river levels are getting on the high side and we can then monitor the situation and put out a flood warning if necessary," said Mr Dunning.

"This is a problem area, which is why the agency has taken action. We were aware that certain properties were not being covered by an existing gauge at another location close to Middle Hill. The new gauge will mean complete coverage of that area," he said.

The district council is expected to make a decision on the application under delegated powers by the end of next week.