A ‘FORGOTTEN’ village hit several times by huge floods looks finally set to have much-needed defences installed.

New plans reveal a want to install permanent defences in Severn Stoke near Worcester several years after calls were made to protect the village.

The vulnerable village was badly hit by major flooding in 2007 and 2012 ruining homes, the 500-year-old Rose and Crown pub, St. Denys's Church, and the village hall before floods hit for a third devastating time earlier this year.

The plans, submitted to Malvern Hills District Council, show how a new embankment would be created to the south of the village protecting the area from future flooding.

A section of Ham Lane would also be raised.

Villagers have welcomed the plans saying the defences have been needed for a long time.

Bernard Stephen Male said: “I am in support of this application because it is about time we had flood defences in the village.

"When you see the damage done to people’s homes through water ingress my heart goes out to them.

“Since the huge flood of 2007 I feel we have been forgotten here in Severn Stoke, please make our dream a reality.”

Jayne McCallum said: “We cannot continue to suffer the effects of flooding; it is both heart-breaking and costly for the citizens of this village.

“Whilst it is obviously positive that Kempsey and Upton have defences in place, and so remain relatively secure, it is evident that this makes our village more vulnerable.

"This issue needs rectifying as soon as possible.”

Other villagers said if flooding was allowed to continue destroying homes and businesses then the community in the village would fade away.

Susan Faulkner said: “It is vital to the life of the village that the flood defences are built. I have lived in the village for 13 years and during that time have witnessed three quite devastating flooding events.

“Each time there is a flood it is not only private housing and people’s daily lives but also the church, pub and village hall that bear the brunt of flooding.

"Without them the quality of life for our community becomes limited and will slowly fade.”

Joanne Russell said: “Totally support after helping fundraise for our community in Severn Stoke, keeping our village hall and houses that flood safe and usable.

"We may be small but we are worth keeping safe.”