FEWER than one in 10 homes in areas at risk of flooding have signed up to a service that warns of rising water levels.

The Environment Agency today urged more residents in Blackburn with Darwen to join its free link to reduce the impact of future floods.

The call came just days after properties in the Ribble Valley had to be pumped clear by fire crews and a week after homes and businesses in Darwen were flooded in heavy downpours.

And, despite similar widespread damage caused in Waterfall, Blackburn, in 2002; the Wranglings in 1989, and Duckworth Street in 1989, of 796 homes in the three high risk areas, only 56 have signed up to the Government-run agency's scheme- just seven per cent.

Those registered receive phone calls warning them of anticipated flooding and advise on what to do.

In the Wrangling area, where 114 properties are thought to be at risk, only four homes have signed up, or three per cent.

Environment Agency bosses wrote to all the homes when their scheme was launched but today said they had been disappointed by the response.

Carole Davies, the flood warning team leader for Lancashire, said: "It is important people do sign up to the agency's alert system.

"Not only does it make the flood warning scheme more effective but it can also provide vital protection to both individuals and their properties from flooding."

Serious floods in Blackburn's Waterfall area - from the River Darwen overflowing - have occurred in 1936, 1964, 1989 and 2002.

In Darwen, floods occurred in 1936, 1964 and 1989, while in The Wranglings - around Pump Street and George Street West - residents were affected by the River Blakewater in 1936, 1964 and 1989.

Similar schemes are set for launch in Barrowford and for the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, both in Pendle, in 2006.