FLOODS Minister Elliott Morley will today see how a new scheme will protect hundreds of homes.

Mr Morley is due to visit Malton, Norton and Old Malton, North Yorkshire, and meet people whose homes and businesses are protected by the £7.5m Environment Agency project.

Residents and businesses have suffered a series of floods.

The most recent, in 1999 and 2000, damaged more than 300 properties and disrupted the road and rail network.

The agency "fast-tracked" a flood defence scheme and worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Ryedale District Council, English Nature, English Heritage and the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee.

The flood alleviation scheme, which is on the River Derwent, includes a combination of hard defences, reinforced concrete walls with sheet steel cores and earth embankments.

The first stage was completed before Christmas.

Finishing touches are being put to the project to make it blend in with existing surroundings.

Mr Morley said: "I visited Malton and Norton last year to see the start of construction work on this site - and I am delighted to be back so quickly to see the completion of flood defences which will protect the people and property of this area.

"We can't eliminate flooding, we can't control nature, but we can work together to reduce risk. The Government is fully committed to playing its part.

"We are investing an increasing amount of money in flood and coastal defence, but it is not just about the money.

"I recently announced the outcome of our review into how the system works, how the money gets where it is needed and who has responsibility for what.

"In what is being called the biggest shake-up in flood and coastal defence funding systems for 70 years, the Environment Agency will have sole responsibility for all rivers at major risk of flooding and they will get a block grant from Defra for flood-related work.

"This should speed up the service, cut down on red tape, and give a clear line of responsibility."

Agency area manager Craig McGarvey said: "This project is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a great many people and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in making these defences a reality."