THE first phase of a £280,000 scheme to reduce the risk of flooding will be marked with the planting of bulbs and seeds.

Ormesby Becks, beside Kentmere Road, in Middlesbrough, is being realigned away from the street with the hope that the 500-metre channel will attract existing wildlife, including watervoles.

Pupils from Berwick Hills Primary School will be sewing seeds with the Boro Becks team, the Environment Agency, Erimus Housing, employees from bank Santander, which has donated £250, Middlesbrough Council Area Care and Living Waterways.

Amanda McKevitt, Environment Agency project manager, said: "We are really looking forward to the planting session. By engaging with children we can show them the importance of the becks to the town and the need to look after and care for our natural habitats. The beck realignment has been a major project and will bring peace of mind to residents who have been affected by flooding in the past."