A NEW £5million project to improve flood defences to hundreds of homes in one of East Lancashire's highest flood-risk areas was set to be unveiled today.

The Pendle Water flood alleviation scheme was to be officially opened by the borough's MP Gordon Prentice at a special ceremony.

The Environment Agency has carried out the work which will protect around 500 homes and business in Barrowford in a bid to avoid repeats of the severe flood of 1992 and deluges in June and November 2000.

Flood risk manager at the government body, Ian Rowlands, said the scheme would help prevent the damage done by the 21 floods the area had suffered in the past 130 years. He said: "It will never be possible to prevent flooding but we can reduce the likelihood and the impact of flooding when it occurs through flood alleviation schemes such as this."

Work on the project started in early 2005 and it will provide increased flood protection at numerous locations along Pendle Water and Clough Springs.

Engineers have removed Reedyford Weir, lowered the riverbed between the former weir and Scotland Road bridge, reinforced the riverbanks, reconstructed the river wall at the back of Sandy Lane, repaired existing river walls from the site of Reedyford Weir to Wilton Street and carried out road culvert and wall repairs to Clough Springs at Pendle Street.

The completed scheme was due to be launched at a special ceremony at Nelson and Colne College's Scotland Road site attended by civic dignitaries.

Gordon Prentice, who was to unveil a plaque said: "I well remember some of the dreadful floods we have had in Newbridge and further downstream, causing homes to be evacuated.

"The completion of this scheme will make houses and workplaces in the area much safer, and is wholly to be welcomed."