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Famous property in the UK at risk from flooding

Others at risk include Blackpool Tower, Kings College, Cambridge, and the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff, claims the Landmark Information Group, a leading provider of property and environmental risk information.

Its latest report shows that properties as diverse as country houses, factories, hospitals, cathedrals, historic buildings and ordinary houses are potentially at risk from flood and could be lost.

With climate change bringing more extreme weather conditions to the country the LIG is warning that thousands of years of UK heritage could be significantly damaged or even destroyed by a flood.

It carried out a Homecheck Professional Flood Report on Eton College, one of the most famous schools in the world where princes William and Harry were educated, and found it is at risk.

'Unfortunately flood risk is now a very real situation that is here to stay in the UK, and the likelihood of this causing damage to fragile buildings and structures is high. Two threats are erosion to monuments and the walls of ancient houses becoming sodden, because their gutters and down pipes cannot cope with the recent volume of rainfall. Valuable collections of antiques and expensive furnishings could also be ruined in a flood,' said James Sherwood-Rogers, Managing Director of Landmark Legal & Financial department.

Although standards exist for new buildings it is important to keep reviewing them, he pointed out. 'It is important to continually review the impact of flood risk on all property. The country's wide and diverse built heritage is in danger and we can't just break all these historical buildings down and build anew. This is an area that the Government needs to address before it is too late. These buildings are such a major part of our heritage and we all want future generations to be able to enjoy them,' he added.

'Where there are now more warnings in place and measures that people can take to protect their property from such an eventuality, people can limit potential damage by being aware of the risks from the outset.'

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