A PROJECT to protect a village from future flooding is well underway.

The Brompton Flood Prevention Group is believed to be the first community group in the country which has organised and funded its own natural flood defences, and work has been ongoing this week.

The village, near Northallerton, has been hit by flooding in the past and residents have been fundraising for defences for several years, with the latest project costing about £5,000.

Group chairman Sue Butler said: “The Coxon brothers are making fantastic progress on the leaky dams and have nearly completed one.

“They are expected to finish on Thursday (July 21) and Andy Clark from Top of the Tree film company has filmed the group and the leaky dam construction on Wednesday morning, as part of a major film involving flood prevention groups throughout the country.”

She added: “The flood defences are three leaky dams. They are made from logs which have been provided by our contractor James Coxon; he will cut them to side and layer them with stones to allow small gaps for water to get through.

“They slow the speed of the water without stopping it and it will help stop flooding in our village.”