PEOPLE living in Skinningrove have been learning how to operate a new flood defence system.

Staff from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council have been trained already and now volunteers are being shown how to use the system at Stone Row Bridge.

The villagers have agreed to be on bad weather standby in case of a recurrence of the devastating floods of July and November 2000.

During the floods, debris blocked the bridge, causing water and sewage to spill into the streets.

The new system involves lowering sections of the bridge's parapet and shutting the gates at either end.

Other improvements include better communication links and the installation of telemetry equipment at the bridge and upstream reservoir, with the information is fed to the borough council.

The council's contracts manager Peter Swan said: "We would hope that any future flood warning would give the residents several hours to prepare for the worst. Of course, our own officers would be mobilised, too, but the residents can be a major help by learning to use the floodgates."

Councillor Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety, with the council, said: "I always envisaged the people of Skinningrove would control the opening and closing of the gates, And this session showed them how effective they can be in protecting the village."