United Utilities is getting two major £400,000 flood defence projects under way. Both projects - valued at £600K and £400K respectively - are intended to prevent homes flooding with sewage during heavy rain.

The work involves increasing the size of sewers so that they can store even more water during storm conditions and carry it away more quickly for treatment. Due to the size and scale of the pipes and excavations involved, roads have to be closed to traffic while the work takes place. Restricted access is being maintained for residents where possible.

United Utilities project co-ordinator, Jose DeFreitas, explained:

"This is engineering on a large scale, but it is the only way we can increase the size of the local sewer system to help prevent it from overflowing during heavy rain.

"The work may be a temporary inconvenience but it will come as a huge relief to those local residents who have been affected by the awful problem of flooding from sewers. It's one of the many improvement schemes our customers' water bills help to fund."

United Utilities expects to complete both projects by the end of April.