MORE than £1.2m has been set aside to boost the region's flood defences.
The fund has been approved by members of the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee (NRFDC). The money will come from a levy on councils.
Committee chairman Frank Major said: "The local levy enables the committee to identify and finance small-scale local projects that will have a meaningful and beneficial impact on vulnerable communities."
The NRFDC's local levy plan is regarded as innovative and community-led, and is attracting additional funding from external sources.
The fund will pay for projects that fail to qualify for cash from the national coffers.
Schemes expected to benefit include the Peatscape Project, managed by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.
The project works with upland farmers and land managers to develop sustainable ways of reducing flooding, while also improving the habitat.
Money will also be spent on flood defence work in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
The fund of £1,219,000 is up from £1,029,000 for 2005-2006.
Mark Tinnion, the Environment Agencys North-East flood risk manager, said: "This increase in local funds to help reduce flooding to communities in the North-East is very welcome."
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