Morpeth flood defences

Work has finally begun to protect more than a thousand homes and businesses in Morpeth, four years after flooding devastated the town.

A team from the Environment Agency has been removing trees from the riverside, so new defences can be built in their place.

Residents say the work is long overdue.

Watch the full report from Ben Chapman below.

Work has begun to protect more than a thousand homes and businesses in Morpeth in Northumberland, four years after flooding devastated the town.

A number of young oak trees have been removed from the riverside to make way for protective walls.

The work is expected to take until early next year and has been welcomed by residents who think that the work is long overdue.

Preparation work began today ahead of new flood defences for Morpeth.

The work began with the removal of nine historic oak trees. The Collingwood Oaks were planted in 2005 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, in which Morpeth's Lord Collingwood led a fleet alongside Nelson.

The trees will be replanted in five local schools.

13 other mature trees will be taken down at High Stanners to allow the building of new flood bank and defence walls to protect local properties.

Building work is due to start in late April.

When it's finished the Morpeth flood scheme will protect more than a thousand homes and businesses from floods like those in 2008, which caused widespread flooding in the town. The £21million scheme is being funded by the Environment Agency and Northumberland County Council.

Work is set to begin today on new flood defences in the Northumberland town of Morpeth.

The project will cost 21 million pounds to complete, and it is hoped that the new defences will provide protection for more than a thousand homes and businesses in the area.

Severe flooding in 2012 and 2008 caused widespread disrution in the town.