A DORSET council has written to residents in flood risk areas telling them they must look after themselves where possible this winter and not rely on council assistance.

North Dorset District Council has sent letters and leaflets to dozens of householders in the chalkland areas of Winterborne and Tarrant valleys and Milborne St Andrew advising they should provide their own preventative sandbags as the council will only respond to genuine emergencies.

The move has angered pensioner Anne Hurst of Winterborne Whitechurch, who said: "They informed me that they could not guarantee to help should I need it.

"It was suggested that I go and buy sand and make my own defences. I am not certain which category sandbags comes under but surely it must figure in the council tax.

"As I live out in the country there is no pavement, no street lighting, no mains sewerage.

"The only benefit I have is rubbish bags and collection. I must have the most expensive refuse sacks in the world."

But council boss Mike Coker said the letters were not designed to leave vulnerable people feeling they were on their own.

He said: "We sent the letters and leaflets out because of the record levels of rainfall in November which caused concern about the chalkland streams.

"We know some properties are more vulnerable than others and we felt the situation was looking dodgy for the winter. Things have improved in recent days.

"We said in the letter if people were able to do something for themselves now was a good time as it would leave us to help those people who can't help themselves and help spread our resources.

"We are not saying elderly people should get their own sandbags.

He added: "We did include a telephone number in the leaflet for people to get advice and we have had calls from several people who we were happy to advise. If worried, give us a call."