A company with a research facility near Watford has negotiated exclusive rights to develop a "99 per cent" sustainable global flood-barrier solution for homes.

Aquobex, which has a base at the BRE centre near Garston, is a specialist in designing and engineering flood protection solutions.

The company has now partnered with pan-European firm HydroGuard to develop and globally distribute the "first lightweight, compact and simple-to-use flood barrier solution" that Aquobex says is more than 99 per cent sustainable.

Aquobex says the flood defence system fits all standard door types and sizes with its patented sliding technology.

John Alexander, managing director of Aquobex, said: "As our built environment develops in a rapidly changing climate, we want to ensure that people have access to an affordable, one-size-fits-all flood barrier option to help protect their homes from the calamities of flooding."

Watford Observer: John Alexander, Managing Director of Aquobex John Alexander, Managing Director of Aquobex

In the UK alone, 5.2 million homes are at risk of flooding and the average damage to each property is £25,000. Aquobex says solutions such as sandbags are "inadequate because they are cumbersome, unsanitary and not reusable".

The co-founder of HydroGuard, Hannes Floto, said: "Flooding is becoming more and more frequent as we have seen multiple times this summer. From my own experience of having been repeatedly flooded and finding that existing solutions were either inadequate or totally impractical, I realised there was a need for a flood barrier that was practical, effective and fit for purpose.

"Rather than having to repeatedly invest in flood prevention measures, HydroGuard can be easily and quickly deployed whenever people are concerned about their properties being flooded."