Environment minister Elliot Morley has said he expects insurance companies to keep providing cover for home owners in flood areas.

Responding to warnings that property blight was hitting areas hit by floods last winter, he said the insurance industry had already agreed to maintain cover for two years.

Some insurance firms have been accused of refusing to cover homes in places such as Lewes because of their postcode and location on Environment Agency flood maps.

According to Sussex insurance brokers, many of the major insurers refused to provide new cover to home owners in Lewes hit by the collapse of Independent Insurance in the summer.

Speaking at the launch of a new study into flooding, Mr Morley said ministers would increase the amount spent on flood defences and expected insurance firms to continue offering cover.

He said: "We have an agreement with the insurance companies they will maintain insurance cover for the next two years and they are reviewing the situation. Of course we want them to extend that.

"It's not unreasonable, from their point of view. They are saying that continued insurance cover is linked with the investment that we are making to reduce flood risk."

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "I am pleased the minister is starting to focus on both flood defence issues and insurance issues."