Monday night's Channel 4 Dispatches programme offered viewers a glimpse into a British future under water. With house builders constructing new homes on flood plains and the cost of home insurance looking to soar out of control, Landmark Information Group encourages British homeowners to find out just how vulnerable their home is from flooding.

Approximately five million people in two million homes live in flood risk areas across England and Wales. Landmark urges homebuyers to think carefully about the proximity of flood plains and tidal stretches in relation to their home and ensure they are well informed of potential risks that could affect them.

There are a number of sources of flood information in the UK, but the best way to tackle the issue is to ask your solicitor or conveyancer to get a report when you buy a home.

James Sherwood-Rogers, Managing Director of Landmark Legal & Financial, comments: “It's essential that homebuyers are aware of the potential risk their properties are at from flooding. As we have already experienced first hand this summer, flooding can have devastating effects on families and communities. Unfortunately flooding is not an issue that is going to disappear and homeowners need to stay vigilant.”

Mary Danbhou, seven times flood victim and coordinator of the National Flood Forum took part in the live Dispatches debate last night; Late Night & Live. Mary wishes that she had purchased one of Landmark's flooding reports before she bought her home.

Mary comments: “Had I known before buying my property that my home was at risk from flooding I would never have bought it. People should buy property with their eyes wide open and be made aware of all the environmental risks.”

Mary continues: “I do wish that I had purchased a flood report such as that available from Landmark Information Group. “

Sherwood-Rogers continues: “Our Homecheck Professional Flood Report is the UK's most comprehensive report of its kind and will help reassure homeowners and buyers. It will provide them with peace of mind and highlight the potential dangers in order to allow homeowners to make sufficient preparations to minimise damage.”

“The Homecheck Professional Flood Report is unique, featuring not only data from the Environment Agency, and Norwich Union (the UK's biggest flood insurers), but also includes records of actual flood claims in the local area.

“This is the first time such detailed flood information has been available to homeowners and buyers. Our newly updated flood reports are designed to help people gauge the potential flood risk of their property. It is of particular use to people in the process of buying a home and who want to know the risks before they purchase. In a flood risk area, insurance cover can be high – or even unavailable.”

The flood report costs £12 and is available through your solicitor or conveyancer, or direct from Landmark on 0844 844 9966, alternatively visit www.homecheck.co.uk, email info@landmarkinfo.co.uk or visit www.landmarkinfo.co.uk.

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For further information on Homecheck visit www.landmarkinfo.co.uk or call 0844 844 9966. Landmark Information Group

Landmark is the UK's leading provider of digital mapping and land data intelligence. Holding one of Europe's largest databases of land, property and environment information, Landmark supplies comprehensive data electronically to a wide range of professionals in conveyancing, property, environment and government. www.landmarkinfo.co.uk

Issued on behalf of Landmark Information Group by Trimedia Harrison Cowley

For further information please contact Leon Cox or Rachel Greaves on 0207 404 6777 or Rachel.greaves@trimediahc.com