ALTON Town Council's open spaces committee has agreed to clear an historic drainage ditch which runs along the western boundary of the play area to prevent flooding in Holybourne. Councillors agreed to comply with a request by Hampshire County Council which, following the winter rains, which had resulted in flooding in Holybourne, have identified historic ditching arrangements in the village that are no longer functioning and, if cleared, could help by channelling water run-off from farmland, last Tuesday. Town clerk Steve Parkinson said the survey shows that there used to be a ditch along the boundary of the play area which has been filled in and a hedge planted along the ditch line. For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.