Prime Minister David Cameron has offered his congratulations to Upton-upon-Severn after the completion of the town’s flood defences. The Prime Minister asked Upton’s MP Harriett Baldwin to pass on the message during a meeting in Westminster. David Cameron toured the town with Harriett in 2007 to assess the impact of the floods on homes and businesses. Harriett commented: “I spoke to the Prime Minister and told him that we were celebrating the opening of the permanent flood defences in Upton. “He asked me to pass on his congratulations and added that the nation’s image of Upton is a town under water. “He joined me in welcoming the prospect that people will be able to come and visit Upton and change that image forever. “National and international media come to the town during the floods to get footage of devastating floods that have hit 70 times in the last 40 years. “Now they will see a full river flowing past held back by a wonderful permanent structure from the safety of one of the riverside pubs. “I hope that we can now look on 2012 as year one for the future prosperity all year round of Upton-upon-Severn. “I would like to repeat my thanks for all the hard work the Environment Agency put in delivering six local schemes to protect local towns and villages from flood damage. “Once again high water levels are threatening the county and there is still much to do including finding a permanent solution for Tenbury. “I will continue my campaign to bring funding to the area to ensure that as many homes and businesses as possible are removed from the threat of flood devastation.”