A MULTI-million pound flood scheme to better protect 350 homes and 32 businesses for half a century has been completed in the North-East.

A site the size of more than 90 football pitches has been transformed into a haven of habitats for wildlife near the River Tees as part of the flood defence scheme organised by the Environment Agency.

Almost £16m has been channelled into the Port Clarence and Greatham South project to boost flood protection for nearby residents and the Seal Sands Industrial Complex.

The scheme has seen the Environment Agency working alongside the RSPB and Natural England to create a scheme that also benefits animals in the area, including rare birds and seals.

The new habitats also feature both a brand new bird hide and seal hide to give nature-lovers a close-up view of these stunning local species.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “When I visited Teesside in 2017 I was able to speak with the local industry representatives, the Environment Agency and the RSPB about the plans for this new flood defence scheme.

“I am delighted it is now open, better protecting hundreds of homes and businesses, helping the local economy and enhancing the natural environment by creating an important new habitat for wildlife and birds.

“This £16 million scheme forms part of the government’s commitment to better protect 300,000 thousand homes from flooding. We are investing over £2.3 billion across the country – boosting our resilience as a nation, helping our communities to grow and prosper.”

The first phase of the project, which saw new flood defences built at Port Clarence to reduce flood risk from the River Tees, was finished in December 2015.

Phase two saw the Environment Agency raise existing flood embankments along Greatham Creek and create new flood defences to the north of RSPB Saltholme Nature Reserve.

Phil Marshall, the Environment Agency’s senior advisor on the scheme, said: "We completely understand how devastating it is to be flooded and we have built this scheme with climate change in mind – so we really hope this now gives the community peace of mind to know they are now protected against events such as the 2013 flooding, which deeply affected the community, both now and into the future.”