WARRINGTON is set to receive almost £500,000 to help protect homes against flooding.

Funding of £170 million has been confirmed today, Tuesday, for a range of "shovel-ready" flood defence projects across England to protect homes, businesses and jobs, the Government has announced.

The £3.3 million Penketh and Whittle Brooks Flood Risk Management Scheme, which will protect up to 211 properties upon completion, has received a much awaited funding boost of £480,000 to help the project move into its next stage.

The funding comes on top of a long term £5.2 billion package being set out by the Government, to construct around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences that will better protect 336,000 properties from flooding by 2027.

There are also proposed changes to the joint Government and insurance industry Flood Re scheme, as part of the plans being unveiled by ministers.

These include offering discounted premiums to households who have fitted protection measures such as air brick covers, and allowing payment of claims to include additional amounts to rebuild properties so they are better protected from future floods.

The Government also said it would review the policy for building in areas at risk of floods to protect future development, amid concerns over homes being built in the flood plain, and expand flood warning systems.

READ MORE> Warrington's best and worst GP surgeries as voted by patients

And the plans include a commitment to doubling the number of Government-funded projects which include natural solutions such as planting trees, restoring peatland and wetlands and looking after soils, which also have benefits for wildlife and tackling climate change.

The £5.2 billion investment, announced in the Budget in March, is for schemes from 2021.

But the £170 million cash injection will help boost the economy as areas recover from the pandemic by starting work from this year on 22 projects, which are ready to go with help to reach required levels of funding.

As well as protecting homes, the projects will defend more than 10,000 local businesses and safeguard around 100,000 jobs that rely on those firms, the Government said.

Warrington South Tory MP Andy Carter said: "This area has sadly seen first-hand the devastating impact that flooding can cause to communities and I am pleased Government have been able to include this area of Penketh to receive additional protection.

"Investing in infrastructure, be it for flood defences, schools or health will help to create jobs here in the north west and improve the lives of people locally."