THOUSANDS of pounds has been allocated to help a town defend itself against flooding.

The £20,722 awarded to Norton Town Council is one of five grants totalling nearly £138,000 awarded to a variety of schemes by Ryedale District Council.

The money will go towards the cost of a new pump to be deployed in Norton when flood warnings are in place, to prevent ground water and sewerage flooding.

Ros Tierney, town council clerk for Norton, said: “In partnership with local people, neighbouring Malton and other local authorities and Government agencies, we will create a Community Resilience Team and Emergency Action Group to deploy the pumps.

“All volunteers and staff will be given full training so that we are fully prepared and can work together as a team.”

The flood money was welcomed by Norton councillor Di Keal who said it was “excellent news”

She added: “An extra pump when we have another flood will mean that pumping will hopefully be able to start sooner as the equipment will be stored locally.

“Alongside the other flood alleviation measures that have been installed recently - the gulley under the road and railway near the County Bridge - the new pump with help deliver the emergency plan for Norton will really help protect homes and businesses in the town.”

A further £117,000 of grants were funded via money given to the council by developers as a condition of gaining planning permission.

The recipients were Lady Lumley’s School to replace its astroturf, Sherburn Playing Fields Association, Slingsby Sports Field, which got £20,000 towards resurfacing the tennis courts, and Norton Town Council, which was given £9,000 towards new equipment at the skate park.