Environment Secretary visits Jubilee River

The Environment Secretary has praised the Jubilee River, calling it a 'brilliant example of long term planning' for flooding.

MP for North Shropshire Owen Paterson visited the seven-mile man-made flood defence today, as flood warnings went out across Britain.

The channel diverts overspill water from the Thames at Boulters Lock before returning it to the river further downstream.

The cabinet minister visited the flood defence ahead of chairing a meeting of the emergency COBRA committee about national response to flooding.

He also made a statement to parliament in the afternoon, saying flood protection is a priority for the Government.