WORK began this week to defend Durham County Cricket Club against future floods.

Two years ago hundreds of gallons of water spilled onto the Riverside Sports Complex in Chester-le-Street when the River Wear burst its banks.

Now the centre, which regularly hosts International and County cricket and other sporting fixtures, is to be protected against any future deluge as work begins on an £88,000 flood defences system.

Flood defence specialists were drafted in by Chester-le-Street District Council and as a result an earth embankment and new drainage system are to be built to protect the synthetic turf pitch. The scheme is expected to be completed by mid-November.

Council leader, Coun Malcolm Pratt, said: "I am delighted by this work as prevention is always better than cure. The Riverside Sports Complex is a long term benefit for local residents and visitors alike and it is the council's responsibility to safeguard the complex for future generations."