RESIDENTS in Ascot could pay a flood levy on top of their council tax.

Tonight (Tuesday) a report is set to go in front of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council calling for the introduction of a £7.39 annual rise per household, in a bid to raise £500,000 a year towards flood relief projects.

The funds would be used as part of an Environment Agency scheme providing flood protection for 15,000 homes, businesses and infrastructure in east Berkshire and west London.

In February 2014 water spilled over the banks of the River Thames after a rain-soaked and windy Christmas period.

Cookham, parts of Windsor and Datchet bore the brunt of the flooding. Ascot however, eight miles away from the Thames and relatively well elevated, remained largely unscathed.

Only one point in the town - a part of London Road that runs over a stream from Silwood Lake - is considered a high flood risk.

This is compared to well over a hundred high risk points in Windsor and Maidenhead, according to data from the Environment Agency.

The report reads: “The River Thames Scheme will reduce flood risk to thousands of people living and working in the Thames corridor from Datchet and Teddington.

"Nearly 15,000 properties will experience a reduction in their current level of flood risk.

"In addition, the River Thames Scheme will reduce the risks to life posed by major flooding, reduce anxiety, stress and health impacts caused by flooding, and reduce the costs for organisations in responding to, and recovering from, a flood accident."

Currently, the Royal Borough contributes £285,000 to the project and has committed to continue doing so until 2020.

The River Thames Scheme is estimated to cost £476m for the design and construction phase. It currently has a funding shortfall of £228m.