A £2.7million flood alleviation scheme has been praised for better protecting thousands of homes and driving economic growth.

The Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme is the first project in the country to get off the ground out of the 22 flood defence projects by the Environment Agency to benefit from a £170million government funding boost.

The town received a £450,000 cash injection used to fill a shortfall in funding, allowing the Environment Agency to start construction immediately.

Hexham's MP Guy Opperman visited the site on Friday to see first-hand the work being carried out to protect the town. He was joined by Ponteland Flood Warden Alan Maidwell on the tour.

Mr Opperman said: “This additional investment from the Government for flood protection here in Ponteland is fantastic and I know will be hugely welcomed by the many residents and businesses who will benefit from this crucial work.

"It is great to see this extra investment transfer to shovels in the ground so quickly, bringing real peace of mind and confidence to the local community.”

In Ponteland existing flood defences on the south bank of the River Pont, between the Memorial Hall footbridge and Callerton Burn Pumping Station, will be replaced with one continuous sheet piled flood wall. Work started at the end of August and is expected to be completed next Spring.

The flood wall will be built to complement the existing local environment, with a stone effect and colour, and will protect more than 250 properties in the town. The new flood defences will also be built with climate change in mind, with allowances in the foundations for the walls to be raised in future if needed.

Leila Huntington, Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency in the North-East, said: “The recent government funding boost that the scheme received shows just how vital the completion of this work is and we’re pleased to get started on the ground.

“We know there is a long history of flooding in Ponteland and we’re committed to ensuring the town is protected. We understand just how devastating it is to be flooded and we have consulted with the community throughout to develop a scheme which meets their needs.

“This project is built with climate change in mind and will hopefully bring some reassurance to residents that they will be better protected now and into the future.”

Coun. Nick Oliver, Northumberland County Council’s representative on the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, who attended the visit alongside Ponteland North County Councillor Richard Dodd, added: “As we’ve seen before in our county, flooding can devastate homes and destroy businesses, so we’re delighted that the funding is now in place and work has been able to start on this vital scheme in Ponteland.

"This is very welcome news for residents and businesses in the town, with the new flood wall designed to protect more than 250 properties."

Coun. Nick Oliver, Northumberland County Council’s representative on the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, who attended the visit alongside Ponteland North County Councillor Richard Dodd, added: “As we’ve seen before in our county, flooding can devastate homes and destroy businesses, so we’re delighted that the funding is now in place and work has been able to start on this vital scheme in Ponteland.

"This is very welcome news for residents and businesses in the town, with the new flood wall designed to protect more than 250 properties."