Bowsers and static tanks were set up in Hexham in January

The �6m Hexham scheme follows severe flooding in January, which left up to 10,000 homes without drinking water.

The project will include a flood diversion pipe and the building of a new culvert underneath a railway line.

On Thursday, a public meeting is due to be held at the Trinity Methodist church, in the town, attended by Environment Agency engineers.

Residents will get the opportunity to see how the work will protect their homes and businesses in the future.

The Environment Agency says records show Hexham has suffered flooding since 1789.

Landmark scheme

The public meeting will hear from Environment Agency officials who will detail how floodwater could help create a wildlife haven in the area and how part of the scheme's design will be a work of art.

Senior engineer Nigel Darling said: "This scheme is a landmark in the history of the town and we want to give people the opportunity to find out as much as possible about the work which will be finished by next autumn."

Agency officers and contract workers are currently preparing sites for construction.

Project manager Ian Saxelby added: "Hexham has suffered from flooding for hundreds of years and this sees the start of work which will change that."

The scheme will divert flood water from Halgut Burn and Cockshaw Burn into a pipe which comes out into Tyne Green.

Parts of the bed of Cockshaw Burn will be altered so it can hold more water and the entrance to a culvert, where the burn runs underground, will be widened.

The building work is expected to last about 14 months.