Northumbrian Water is investing £1.75 million in a new scheme to help protect homes from flooding in North Shields.

Northumbrian Water will begin the programme of work in Chirton, North Shields next Monday.

During the eight-month scheme, 750 metres of existing sewer pipe will be upsized to help reduce the likelihood of flooding to homes in two roads in the area.

A storage tank, capable of holding 750,000 litres of water in times of heavy rainfall will also be constructed in nearby playing fields. The work will be carried out by the water company’s contractors Lumsden and Carroll.

Ian Davison, Project Manager of the scheme, said:

“We’re doing a lot of work across the region, to help reduce the risk of flooding to our customer’s homes and businesses.

“We know how devastating flooding can be so upgrading our vast sewer network is one of our top priorities in order to be prepared for the future."