MP Laura Sandys says severe flooding in Sandwich has been a “wake up call” for climate change.

This comes after the Environment Agency released data which claims 2,092 homes in Sandwich, the Stour villages and South Thanet are at risk of flooding.

According to an analysis of data released by environment organisation Friends of the Earth, this includes 613 homes which have been judged to be at significant risk.

Ms Sandys said: “The recent floods are a wake up call on the need to protect households from the effects of climate change.

“I would praise the fantastic work of the Environment Agency, which did a lot of exceptional work before the December surge and really helped to limit damage and build up the defences of towns like Sandwich.

“I believe we now need a renewed focus on tackling climate change as well as preparing for it, so we can work to prevent the risk of floods as well as adapting to it.”

Friends of the Earth explains there is a concern that climate change is set to make flooding more widespread.

According to the organisation, the government’s own Climate Change Risk Assessment estimates that almost one million UK homes could be at significant flood risk by 2020 which is up from 370,000 currently at risk.

However, the government is spending £500 million less on flood defences.

Brenda Pollack, the South East’s regional campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: “Without proper investment in flood defences, hundreds of thousands more homes could be put at risk of flooding.

“We are asking Laura Sandys to support the call for flood defences in line with the risks posed by climate change, and for more investment to make homes energy efficient, switch to renewable energy and get off climate-changing and polluting fossil fuels.”