LONDON, Rabi'I 23, 1437, January 03, 2016, SPA -- Britain's government has promised more than 40 million pounds ($59 million) to rebuild and improve the country's flood defences that failed to protect thousands of homes over the year end holidays, Reuters reported. Homes and businesses across northern England, Scotland and northern Ireland were hit by storms and torrential rains in December, leaving many without electricity and some under metres of water after river levels reached all-time highs. In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron announced a package of more than 40 million pounds to improve flood defences after Storm Eva brought gales and torrential downpours to Northern Ireland, Wales, England and parts of Scotland in late December. "I have seen at first-hand the devastation caused by flooding. And that's why this work to repair and improve flood defences is so vital," Cameron said in the statement. He said 10 million pounds would be used to improve the Foss barrier protecting the northern English city of York, which was overwhelmed at the height of Storm Eva. The other 30 million would be spent on defences on other rivers in northern England. The government would also support charities helping those caught up in the deluge by matching every pound of the first two million pounds raised, he said. --SPA 15:49 LOCAL TIME 12:49 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w