Yarm'S new £2m flood defence scheme will be officially opened next week.

Contractor Edmund Nuttall has completed the work on behalf of the Environment Agency in time for the winter flood season.

The official opening takes place next Friday, with a number of civic dignitaries, Yarm residents and Jo Turnbull, chairwoman of the Northumbria regional flood defence committee.

Yarm's original flood defence scheme was completed in 1993 and it protected the town from flooding several times.

However, during the 1995 floods, the original height of the flood walls was not deemed suitable. The new scheme has raised the walls by 50cm (1ft 8ins) to provide improved defences.

Mrs Turnbull said: "This improved scheme is a major step forward in providing better flood protection for residents and businesses in Yarm.

"Although we can never prevent flooding, the work will reduce the frequency of flooding."

The Environment Agency has also carried out a number of environmental enhancement projects as part of the scheme.

Nearly 300m of river margins have been improved by planting, and an otter holt, plus bird and bat boxes, have been built.

Trees and shrubs removed during the wall heightening work will also be replaced.