12:30 - 03 August 2007

Hull: Residents labelled a public meeting to discuss flooding problems a "farce" after they were forced to queue individually to question officials.

More than 70 residents living in the Boothferry and Derringham wards attended the meeting at St Martin's Church, in Anlaby road, west Hull.

But several walked out when it was announced they were only able to question individuals, rather than hear them address the whole meeting.

"Representatives from the Environment Agency, police and fire service, along with ward councillors, were seated at separate tables while residents waited in line to pose questions.

Yvonne Payne, chairman of the Acorn Drive Residents' and Tenants' Association, said the meeting was of little use to residents.

She said: "We all came here for answers and I am not happy with how it has been organised.

"We can't ask questions to the experts like we usually would. What's the point of queuing to ask a question to someone which has already been answered?"

But councillor for Derringham, Stephen Hull, who organised last night's meeting, said it went well.

He said: "At meetings like this there are always going to be emotions running high. But I am happy with how it has gone.

"People will get the answers they came for and in a reasonable time scale."