Property owners of land prone to flooding in Downton have been urged to take a risk for future generations and embrace radical flood-defence proposals - setting aside nagging doubts over the details for the greater good of the village.

A programme of work to prevent the River Avon breaking its banks, improve the capacity of channels such as the Bunny and New Court carrier and reduce the impact of rising groundwater was unveiled at a public meeting in the memorial hall.

It was many householders' first chance to see a complete overview of the proposals, which will include banks, ditches and walls on the properties of people whose homes back on to flood-prone stretches of water.

A pumping station to drain excess groundwater is another component of the favoured scheme.

Toby Wilson, of consultants Halcrow, said the measures offered both good protection from flooding and good value for money.

But he stressed that no action would ever completely stop flooding in Downton. The village lies on a floodplain and swathes of it will always be vulnerable.