WORK to reduce the risk of flooding to homes in Hartlepool begins next week.

Seven properties in Lancaster Road and Amberton Road will benefit from the £650,000 NorthumbrianWater scheme.

The work, which will begin on Monday and take up to five months to complete, will involve installing new sewer piping, increasing the diameter of pipes and constructing a storm water storage tank.

Northumbrian Water's project manager, Paul Davison, said: "Schemes such as this one demonstrate our commitment to tackling sewer flooding.

"We will install 230 metres of new sewer pipe along sections of Powlett Road, Lancaster Road and Lancaster Road North, and 70 metres of pipe along sections of Amberton Road and Powlett Road will be increased in diameter.

A storm water storage tank, which will hold up to 230,000 litres of water, will be constructed on land offLancaster Road North.

"It is inevitable that work of this nature will cause disruption, but we would like to reassure residents and commuters that we will do all we can to minimise inconvenience."

The water company must have traffic management in place during the work and it has promised diversions will be clearly signposted.

Northumbrian Water is advising residents to be vigilant about anyone requesting access to their home.

Representatives from the company and its contractor, JN Bentley, will not require access to houses, but may need access to manholes on private land.