A FLOOD-HIT village could get £500,000 to improve its coastal defences.

The small fishing town of Skinningrove was hit by disastrous floods in 2000, when 178 properties were affected by high water levels, and many residents had to be evacuated.

Heavy rainfall in 2002 demonstrated there were still serious problems in the coastal defence system, and in February last year, consultants were brought in to prepare a report for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are set to agree to apply for £507,205 funding from Defra, at a meeting next Tuesday, towards the design and construction of additional coastal defences.

Tom Evans, an environmental worker for Skinningrove, employed by Loftus Development Trust, said: "The money has been a long time coming.

"I hope the plans will also improve the look of the coast because it has been likened to a mini Beirut in its current state.

"We would like it to look more like the defences at Runswick Bay.

"We feel safer from the river now, but this money will help save homes in the village in the future from high spring tides."

Consultancy company Mouchel Consulting has suggested widening the channel and beck to aid the flow of water, regrading the slopes and constructing a rock spur next to the car park to limit waves from the sea entering the beck.

They have not recommended shortening the groyne, a fishtail-shaped structure designed to prevent the shifting of sands on the beach, in spite of the benefits it could bring to fishermen in launching their boats, because it may have a detrimental effect on sea defences and hinder Defra funding.

Council chairman Eric Empson said: "I am confident that cabinet members will agree to apply for the funding from Defra and that we will receive funding.

"We have spent a lot of money on flood defences at Skinningrove since 2000 and I hope that we can again improve the situation for the people of Skinningrove."

The works could begin in September and be finished by January, subject to funding.