A new 15-metre high dam is protecting 600 homes and business from floods in two North-East towns.

The dam, which is 320 metres long and took 18 months to build, is part of a major £8.8m flood defence scheme for West Auckland and South Church, County Durham, where the River Gaunless burst its banks in 2000.

Even before it was completed by Environment Agency contractors, the structure, which is upstream of Spring Gardens in West Auckland, helped protect 400 properties during high river levels last August.

It works by storing up to a million cubic metres of water during high river flows, then using a special piece of equipment called hydrobrakes to release it slowly at a controlled rate.

Environment Agency project manager Don Robinson said: "This scheme was fast-tracked by the Environment Agency following the floods in 200 so we could get on site much sooner.

"I am delighted that we have been able to provide working flood defences for the community in such a short time.

"Work will now continue to complete the landscaping to blend the defences in with the existing surroundings."

The project includes work to protect properties around Oakley Cross Beck which should be finished before Christmas.