DETERMINED not to be caught out again after last autumn's devastating floods, Wiltshire County Council held a Flood Fair at the Civic Hall, Trowbridge last week.

More then 20 specialist suppliers from all over the country turned up to show off their wares.

Owen Dicker from Warminster, who suffered flood damage 10 years ago, said he had come along because the threat of further damage was a constant concern.

He said: "I am looking for something which could be easily stored that you could get out as a barrier.

"But the methods I've seen so far are a little too industrial for a family home."

Floodbag is a concept dreamt up by a Gloucestershire farmer's wife after last year's floods.

The giant, heavy-duty bag costs less than £30 and you can put furniture and other vulnerable possessions into it to protect them from water damage.

The Neptune Defence System is slightly more sophisticated. The solution encases your house in a plastic 'flood skirt' which can be rolled up whenever a flood warning is received.

Jack Mason, who works for an engineering consultancy in Bradford-on-Avon, was there to assess the different methods for the Environment Agency.

"Flooding is a pressing concern and a lot of people are thinking about it," he said.

He characterised most of the anti-flood devices as emergency solutions and last resort methods.

Mark Kimberlin, acting head of emergency planning for the county and the Flood Fair's organiser said he had hoped to hold the event earlier in the year but plans had been postponed after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr Kimberlin said: "We are promoting the self-help message and giving people the opportunity to come and see what's available.

"The show has received positive feedback from most people.

"The next stage is to put together a database of information so when people get in touch we can help."

If you are worried about how well your house would withstand another period of heavy rainfall and would like to find out more about what you can do, contact the Emergency Planning Unit on (01225) 713155.