Freuchie Flood Action Group, set up following the devastating events of August 13, claim the local authority has failed to implement the remedial work that was promised and has not even given any indication of when it might begin.

They say that 'time is of the essence' to find ways of protecting homes in Freuchie Mill, which was the worst-hit area last year and came under threat again on the night of January 11, when more than 21mm of rain fell in the vicinity.

The group's founder John Thomson, who lives in Freuchie Mill, said: "The late evening of the 11th into the early hours of the 12th was a period of alarming rainfall.

"Freuchie Mill was only one heavy downpour away from yet another flood event that could have caused serious property damage.

"Mother Nature kindly decided to give Freuchie Mill residents a break on this occasion, but she may not be so benevolent this time round.

"Time is of the essence to find the solutions required to control the surge waters coming down Freuchie Burn and to put in place effective flood prevention and protection measures.

"We're now five months down the line and Fife Council has not repaired the culvert outlet as it said it would.

"The only work that has been carried out was many months ago, when the site was made safe for residents and others in the community."

In response, the council's structural services team leader, Mike Thorpe, said: "This particular location has now been formally added to the Fife Flood Alleviation Report, which is published every two years.

"In accordance with this, it will now be subject to an on-going routine inspection and cyclic maintenance regime.

"We are currently reviewing the condition of the watercourse at this location and that will include a CCTV survey of the culvert in the near future.

"In addition, we have been working with Kingdom Homes on reinstatement of the collapsed culvert outlet and garden areas affected by the previous flooding event.

"Kingdom Housing Association's consultant has produced a report giving an initial review of the existing watercourse.

"In response to this report, we have, in consultation with Kingdom Housing Association, now instigated a more detailed location review by our own specialist consultant.

"It will be at least a couple of months before this exercise is completed.

"The wider areas of Falkland and Freuchie which were so badly affected by the events of last year have been added to our priority list for future flood risk scoping studies, subject to budget availability."