The Environment Agency is to start building flood defences to protect hundreds of homes and businesses from the threat of flooding.

Local business Wilton Engineering will manufacture part of the flood defences to help protect its local community in Port Clarence.

The multi-million pound alleviation scheme is designed to lessen the flood risk to around 350 homes and 32 businesses. This month the Environment Agency will start building flood defences in the area, with the work expected to be complete in the winter.

The work is the first phase of an estimated £19million scheme to reduce the risk of flooding at Port Clarence and Greatham South. The most recent impact of flooding in Port Clarence was seen in December 2013, when a tidal surge combined with high spring tides, affected around 50 homes and businesses.

Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, Phil Welton said:

"The work at Port Clarence will improve on existing defences, and will be a mixture of embankments, flood walls and ground raising. There will also be a section of removable defence along the River Tees so that Wilton Engineering is still able to operate from the river."

Funding for this first phase of the scheme at Port Clarence, which is costing £3 million, has come from government Flood Defence Grant Aid and Wilton Engineering’s participation and co-operation.