A FLOOD defence scheme looks likely to be extended to protect more homes and businesses in a south Durham village.

The Environment Agency is carrying out £7.8m of work on the River Gaunless to prevent a repeat of the devastation of June 2000 when hundreds of homes in South Church and West Auckland, both near Bishop Auckland, were flooded after the river burst its banks.

The Environment Agency is working with Wear Valley District Council to investigate what work can be carried out on the river's tributary, Oakley Cross Beck.

About 40 properties in West Auckland were wrecked when it broke its banks three years ago.

The downstream section of the beck was recently brought under the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency, giving it powers to spend money on flood defences.

A survey into possible measures is expected to be drawn up later this year.

Ward councillor John Ferguson was delighted when the agency agreed to extend the scheme to include the beck.

He said: "Just because it affects fewer homes when the beck bursts its banks than the river, it doesn't mean it is less devastating for the owners.

"There are businesses, garages and bungalows with mostly elderly residents that have been affected by floods from the beck for years. Hopefully this scheme will prevent that happening again.

"I am confident that the work will save homes in the future and the way the agency is taking notice of local knowledge and views is much appreciated."

Steve Wilkinson, improvements engineer with the Environment Agency, said: "A number of different options, such as upstream storage, modifications to the river channel and local flood defences are being considered.

"The agency will be consulting with local residents living near to the beck and is aiming to carry out work at the same time as the work on the River Gaunless scheme."

Council leader Olive Brown said: "We are delighted to be working with the agency on a project that is supporting our objective of improving the environment in our district and to improve the overall quality of the lives of our citizens by significantly reducing flood risks."