A survey of the drainage system in Portishead's High Street is to be carried out in an attempt to stop further incidents of flash flooding.

North Somerset Council is to carry out the work to look at the drains in the centre of the town ahead of a project to resurface the High Street this autumn.

The town suffered flash flooding in June 2007 after heavy rain fell across North Somerset.

The drains, some of which were blocked, could not cope and the High Street was left under several inches of water with many shops suffering flood damage.

The investigation into the drainage system is expected to get underway this summer.

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: "The work to resurface the High Street has been included in the capital programme of work for this financial year with a provisional date of starting work in the autumn.

"However, we need to carry out a thorough investigation of the drainage system first. The results of this investigation may mean the timescale for the resurfacing work is altered."

Local businesses were badly hit by the floods, with the rainwater causing thousands of pounds in damage.

Many tried to brush the water back out into the street to stop it coming into their shops. But such was the level and the force of the floodwater, their attempts to keep it out were in vain.

The Sports Shop in the High Street was left under several inches of water which damaged stock and the store's carpets. Supersavers next door was flooded, despite desperate attempts by staff to keep the water out.

Staff at McCormicks cafe had to mop out after rainwater started to seep into the entrance to the shop, which it shares with Fowlers Florists. Pete McCormick, aged 48, who runs the cafe with wife Donya, said: "I'm very glad that this survey is being carried out.

"With the inclement weather we have, flash floods can occur at any time."

The floods also caused £3,000 of damage to Top Hat and Tails gift and card shop in the High Street.

Store owner, Bob Hughes, aged 60, said: "The floodwater came in through the front and back door and went right through the shop and the stock room.

"We lost a lot of stock which was at ground level and had to rip up and replace the carpets with a tiled floor – it was a real mess.

"I'm very glad this survey is being carried out as we need to overcome the problem with the fact that the drains cannot cope with bad weather."

Portishead Councillor Reyna Knight, whose ward covers the High Street, said: "I am very glad that a survey of the drains is being done before any resurfacing work starts.

"Often the drains become full of silt and debris and this means they cannot cope when bad weather hits.

"There has been so much development in Portishead and previously green areas have been covered in concrete, which means the water struggles to drain away.

"A lot of businesses suffered damage in the last flash floods and we do not want a repeat of what happened in 2007."