THE leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council said he feared the £110m pledged by the European Union to help flood victims in the UK was too good to be true.

Speaking today, Jerry Patterson said when the money was promised earlier in the year council leaders in Oxfordshire were concerned it would never reach the people that needed it most.

It has since emerged that local councils hit by last July's floods will now only collectively receive £31m - because the UK is entitled to less from the European Solidarity Fund than other member states.

Mr Patterson said it was vital the Government did not use the remaining EU cash to boost its own coffers.

He said: "Whatever the total some of money, it should be shared out in an equitable way to help flood victims directly."