One worried resident, who lives next to a watercourse which burst its banks when last June's heavy rain turned it into a raging torrent, has twice been told her area is not yet included.

Just 11 per cent of eligible Sheffield households have subscibed to Floodline, one of the lowest take-up rates in the country for the service, the agency has revealed.

Area flood risk manager Sue O'Neill warned residents were putting lives and property at risk by failing to use the free service.

Subscribers are told of impending danger by telephone, text message, email, fax or pager, and also given advice on what to do before, during and after a flood.

After water from Blackburn Brook deluged houses in Chapeltown last year, resident Claire Pass, whose Cowley Lane property is next to the stream, asked the Environment Agency if she could sign up – but was told her house was not included.

When she read Ms O'Neill's comments in The Star last week, she made the request again and received the same answer.

Claire said: "The living areas in my home did not suffer from flood damage but the contents of my cellar were ruined and, at its worst point, the water was less than an inch away from coming in the front door.

"In addition, the wall by the side of the house was brought down by the rough stream waters causing everyone's back gardens to be submerged under water.

"I appreciate that I was luckier than a lot of residents on Falding Street and Cowley Lane but still feel my home is under enough threat from flooding to warrant a warning if ever we were to flood again."

Claire, whose home was also surrounded with flood water when the brook burst its banks in heavy rain three weeks prior to the Great Flood, added: "We are not in denial – it is just impossible to register for the service."

An Environment Agency spokeswoman revealed the amount of properties covered by Floodline has been increased seven-fold this year, from 750 to 5,400.

She said: "We are looking to continue to expand this service. Coverage in Sheffield for Floodline Warnings Direct was already under review last year before the summer floods.

"We are looking at introducing the service in parts of Chapeltown by early next year."

- To see if you are eligible for Floodline and to sign up, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call 0845 988 1188.