MORE than 8,000 homes in Gwent are at risk of a flood likely to happen once in 100 years or sooner.

The risk was disclosed in figures from Natural Resources Wales, obtained by AM Lindsay Whittle.

He has said that flooding in England, which has seen homes inundated in Somerset and near the Thames, has shown the need to ensure the basics like dredging are done.

In Gwent, 955 homes are at high risk of at least a one in 30 years flood

That is broken down to 511 in Newport, 279 homes in Monmouthshire, 90 in Blaenau Gwent, 41 in Caerphilly and 34 homes in Torfaen.

Across Gwent, 7,335 homes are at risk of flooding between once every 30 years and once every 100 years.

In Newport 2,599 residential properties fall within that bracket, as do 1,459 in Caerphilly, 1,127 in Blaenau Gwent, 1,710 in Torfaen and 440 in Monmouthshire.

A further 22,139 homes in Gwent are at risk of flooding between once every 100 years and once every 1,000 years.

That includes 12,694 in Newport, 3,926 in Caerphilly, 3,743 in Monmouthshire, 1,089 in Torfaen and 687 in Blaenau Gwent.

Meanwhile another 3,358 non-residential properties across the five Gwent counties are at risk of flooding in 1 in 100 years or sooner.

Mr Whittle, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, said he has written to Natural Resources Wales to ask about flood protection given the recent terrible flooding, particularly across the border.

He added: “The whole episode in England has highlighted the need to ensure that the basics are done first such as making sure that rivers are not allowed to silt up and maintenance is carried out on drainage systems.

"It is important that people feel safe in their homes from flooding and are protected.”

Newport was hit by tidal flooding at the beginning of January when a storm surge led to homes being flooded in the Crindau area of the city.

Areas of Southern England have been worse hit – with the Met Office saying that this winter has been the wettest on record.