Flood defence wall to be repaired

More than 1,000 properties in Morpeth were affected by the flood

Repair work is due to start on a flood defence wall in a Northumberland town.

More than 1,000 properties in Morpeth were affected when the River Wansbeck broke its banks in September.

The water also damaged a stretch of flood defence wall, and left a culvert, along a tributary of the river in danger of collapse.

Environment Agency workers will repair the wall, replace waterproof seals and removing debris from the culvert so it can be fully inspected.

Since the floods, officers have also removed some 60 tonnes of debris such as trees, garden benches, fencing and brash which were causing obstructions at the bridges throughout the town.

The flooding in Morpeth in September was the most severe ever recorded in the town, with more than two and a half times the average rainfall for a month falling on the town in under 48 hours.