A £2 million refurb will save hundreds of homes from the fear of flooding.

The major project to reinforce the flood defence embankment in Stansgate Abbey Road, near to Steeple, is expected to offer a higher level of protection to people living nearby.

The refurbishment, which is due to be completed in December, will reduce the risk of flooding to more than 200 homes in the area, including those in St Lawrence.

It will also offer protection to large areas of agricultural land, allowing animals to continue to stay there.

The Environment Agency commissioned the plan after the old flood defences were judged to be too old and in great need of replacement.

If they were left, the old embankment would become too weak which could lead to serious flooding.

Environment Agency spokesman Robert Brown said: “This work will improve the condition of the defence and will reduce the need for maintenance works for many years to come.

“The material and equipment is being brought to site by lorry.

“We and our contractors, JBA Bentley are working hard to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

“For example, the old concrete blocks will be placed at the bottom of the seawall to act as a wave break and habitat, which will remove the need to take them away by lorry.”

The contractors have been brought in to remove the old concrete protection and replace with a mix of stone and asphalt, which is expected to be much stronger and able to stand up to the task of protecting the land behind. The work is taking place along a stretch of the coastline, west of Stansgate Abbey Road.

The landowner is also repairing adjoining defences while the work is taking place.