Homes in Shepway could be lost for good to floods unless action is taken.

That was the warning from Peter Midgely, who runs the Environment Agency in Kent and East Sussex.

Speaking at the launch of his organisation’s draft strategy for managing flood risk from Folkestone to Rye, he said: “This is a vulnerable and changing coastline.

“With our climate changing and sea levels rising, we must look at how we will manage the risks here well in to the future.

“If we don’t, we could see many houses permanently flooded, impossible to access or even lost for good.”

With some parts of the district already lying below the levels of the highest spring tides, and overall sea levels expected to rise due to climate change, the decisions taken in the Environment Agency’s final document will have a crucial impact on the future of the area.

The plan will now go out for public consultation.

For full story and details of how to have your say, see this week’s Kentish Express, out on Thursday.