A MAJOR engineering scheme to protect a Ryedale town from flooding has been officially launched.

In the past, residents living near Priorport Beck in Norton have suffered when water backs up the small stream from a swollen River Derwent.

But a new £400,000 pumping station has been built to protect nearby homes by pushing the water over the flood defences into the River Derwent.

It was built as the result of a funding partnership effort by Ryedale District Council, the Environment Agency and Redrow Homes, which is developing a housing scheme in nearby Scarborough Road.

Ryedale District councillor Howard Keal, who represents Norton East, said the station moved 600 litres a second. "This is massively significant for people in Scarborough Road and the surrounding area.

"Without the partnership between the council, the Environment Agency and Redrow Homes it wouldn't have happened.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to bits to see the scheme realised and up and running.

"It's massively effective - we saw it demonstrated at the launch. It absolutely does the business.

"It's a major component in the protection of people in the area. It means we are able to safeguard people and provide a level of protection that will enable them to sleep at night - even when it rains."

Steve Wragg, of the Environment Agency, said: "We're very pleased to be able to help the local residents. This will be a vital part of the area's flood defences."

Keith Knaggs, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: "The new pumping station provides a vital defence for people living in the Scarborough Road area of Norton."

"It's been a true partnership effort between ourselves, the Environment Agency and Redrow Homes, and one which will benefit many local people."

David Faraday, engineering manager for Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), said: "Redrow's involvement in this project is an integral part of our Priorport Mews development in Norton, and a package of community gain that's worth half a million pounds in total, including an additional classroom and cloakroom for the local primary school."