RESIDENTS will be invited to have their say on multimillion pound plans to protect three villages from flooding.

The Environment Agency will unveil its latest flood alleviation scheme to the public during two-drop in events next week.

Bosses hope the £9m scheme will prevent large scale flooding in Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering.

All three villages were badly affected when the River Blackwater burst its banks following heavy rainfall in 2001, 2012 and 2014.

The prevention scheme which will be unveiled next week combines the construction of an “on-line” dam across the River Blackwater and an “off-line” flood storage area next to the river, something the Environment Agency says was favoured by residents during previous consultations back in 2015.

Flood and coastal risk manager for Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Peta Denham, said: "Since July 2015 when we last met with the communities of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon it has been our priority to develop a flood alleviation scheme which includes upstream flood storage on the River Blackwater which benefits and protects the communities from future flooding of a scale of an event last experienced in October 2001.

"We have forged a valuable partnership with Blackwater Aggregates to develop a scheme fit for the communities; a scheme that not only provides flood protection but will take opportunities to enhance the rich flora and fauna and biodiversity features forming the River Blackwater valley and develop new habitats."

The partnership with Blackwater Aggregates will see the owner of Bradwell Quarry stump up £8m towards the project. A further £1m in Government funding has also been made available.

The Environment Agency hopes to submit a planning application for the scheme later this year but must get full approval from Essex County Council before work can begin.

A public consultation on the application is scheduled to take place in springtime next year.

The first of next week's drop-in sessions takes place between 3pm and 7.45pm on Wednesday at Christ Church in Stoneham Street, Coggeshall.

The second event will take place between 2pm and 7.45pm on Friday at Feering Community Centre in Coggeshall Road, Feering.

Environment Agency officers and Blackwater Aggregates representatives will be on hand to explain the latest proposals and answer questions from members of the community.