THIS SUNDAY Monmouth will host the first flood fair ever held in Wales. The event will provide Monmouth residents with vital know-how in combating the devastating effects of bad weather.

National Flood Forum operations director Gill Holland said: "We have held fairs in England, but this is the first in Wales. Flooding is on the increase and this is a great chance for people in Monmouth and other flood risk areas to get the best advice on coping with the problem and see the latest technology."

Monmouth was one of the worst hit towns in the UK when the Wye and Monnow rivers burst their banks two years ago after heavy downpours swept through Monmouthshire.

Many homes in the area suffered extensive damage and the council was left with a £2.5 million repair bill. Up to 3,000 householders in the high-risk flooding area are expected to attend the fair.

While there has been little rain of late, parts of Monmouth will be at risk again over the winter months.

Fairgoers will have the chance to view the latest in flood defence technology and receive expert advice on stopping water entering their homes.

Fifteen companies that supply flood protection products and services will be exhibiting, including a Swedish firm that won a BBC Tomorrow's World Best

Inventions award for their air-filled tube wall. The tube wall can be filled up in minutes using a hair dryer and takes all the heavy work out of putting sand bags around a house.

A BSI Kitemark has recently been introduced for flood protection products, and all three firms that have so far achieved this will be exhibiting at the fair. These are Floodgate Ltd and Floodguards International Ltd, both makers of flood doors, and Geodesign Barriers /Pallet Barrier Ltd, who supply a freestanding temporary defence that is being tried out by the Environment Agency on the River Severn this winter.

Local residents group Wye Flood Monmouth contacted the Flood Forum last year to voice concerns about the spate of recent flooding and they came up with the idea of the fair, which is being supported by Monmouthshire County Council and the Environment Agency.

The county council will also display the flood alleviation plans for Monmouth's Wonastow Road, which was badly hit two years ago, while Welsh Water and WaterVoice Wales will be giving advice.

The fair is open from 10am to 4pm and entry and parking is free. A free shuttle service to and from the event in a vintage 1950 bus is also available in Monmouth.