A MULTI-MILLION pound flood defence project has been delayed because of a lack of funding.

The scheme to protect Northallerton, Brompton and Romanby will not go ahead until the next financial year at the earliest.

County councillors say they are doing everything they can to get the project reinstated.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has told the county council that it cannot provide the necessary grant because it has already over-committed the funds available for local authority schemes.

The project would see embankments built to hold back flood waters from Turker Beck, at Northallerton, and Ing Beck, Winton Beck and North Beck, at Brompton.

A flood storage tank would also be built at Bullamoor, on the outskirts of Northallerton.

The plans were drawn up after homes and businesses were flooded in 2000. The scheme was given approved status in November last year.

Both Defra and the Environment Agency have agreed that the scheme should retain this status, but be deferred until sufficient funds are available to allow its completion.

A spokesman for the council said: "Steps have now been taken to meet urgently with the Environment Agency to see what can be done to reverse the decision or at least get part of the scheme reinstated."

County Councillor Peter Sowray, executive member for business and environmental services, said: "The county council is very concerned about the postponement of the flood alleviation scheme.

"Romanby, Northallerton and Brompton were badly hit during the 2000 floods and a great deal of work has already been done in preparation for delivery of the scheme.

"The county council is doing everything possible to get the scheme re-instated.

"The announcement of the postponement will be a sad blow to the people in those communities who suffered in 2000.

"The county council has carried out some emergency work but is determined to see the full flood alleviation scheme delivered as soon as possible."

Campaigners said earlier this month that any delay in the scheme could be costly.

Dr John Gibbins, from Brompton, who has campaigned for the past six years to get the area protected, said residents may seek redress in the courts if the postponement leads to any serious financial loss.