Ministers have ordered an inquiry into the floods that inundated parts of England in June.

The broad inquiry will look into whether the floods could have been predicted, why the flooding was so extensive and the immediate response.

Four people are known to have lost their lives due to the flooding in areas of the Midlands and Yorkshire. It is estimated that 7,000 businesses and 30,000 homes have been affected.

Announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, the review will look at how the floods were managed and responded to by the Environment Agency, local authorities, the emergency services and others.

The Lessons Learned review, to be carried out by the Cabinet Office with support from Defra and Communities and Local Government, will seek views from those involved in the floods, ranging from residents, to local councillors, to members of the emergency services.

In a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Benn said it was vital that lessons were learned about how to manage and respond to this type of disaster in the future.

Mr Benn said: "It is estimated that thousands of people are still out of their homes with around 300 in emergency accommodation in Sheffield and Doncaster and Hull. The response of the emergency services, local authorities, operating authorities, voluntary sector and the affected communities has been very impressive."

The review will look at flood risk management, the emergency response and the transfer to recovery.

A further separate review will be carried out at a later stage to consider lessons learned from the recovery phase.

(SP)