FLOOD defences are a step closer for one Worcestershire village nearly a year after it was devastated by flood water containing raw sewage.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said today she continues to work with villagers, land owners and the Environment Agency to try and secure permanent flood protection for Severn Stoke as the anniversary of the flooding looms.

During last February's floods 19 homes, the village hall, St Denys Church and the Rose and Crown pub were flooded. An emergency meeting was called on Friday, March 14 last year during which the Severn Stoke Flood Action Group (FLAG) was established and the MP Harriett Baldwin agreed to meet with landowners to negotiate the possibility of an alleviation schemes. At the packed meeting residents villagers were able to pour over a scheme which involved building an earth embankment with a surface water pond to absorb flood water.

Retired colonel Tim Weeks, chairman of Severn Stoke FLAG, said there could be a flood alleviation scheme in place for the village within the next two to three years.

He said: "To protect the village we are looking at just over £1 million for everything. It doesn't only protect the village but the A38. This is really good in the sense we have a plan. It is costed and we qualify for funding. We have taken a significant step forward."

He said during the flooding nearly a year ago it had created problems with polluted water containing raw sewage. He said the challenge was for the community to make up the shortfall to get the scheme off the ground.

Last week the Environment Agency announced that Worcestershire would benefit from more than £20 million to tackle flooding - £6 million from the Environment Agency to secure an extra £15 million from Government.

Mrs Baldwin has also championed Callow End and Tenbury which are hoping to get investment to build defences in the near future.

The MP has also met with the Environment Agency to see what public funds can be found to help with the cost of building a permanent scheme.

She said: “Last year, I held a series of meetings to try and work towards a permanent solution for Severn Stoke. The Environment Agency has identified some potential solutions but the cheapest scheme will cost well over £500,000.

“Any scheme will require major construction work on privately-owned land so these negotiations are taking time to conclude."

Christian Wilcox from the Environment Agency said: "In summer 2014 we replaced two culverts under the existing flood defence in Severn Stoke. The assets were at the end of their design life and inspections following the flood event in 2014 revealed they were in need of replacement.

"We are continuing to work with the local flood action group and landowners at Severn Stoke to develop a flood scheme that is suitable to all stakeholders. We will continue to support the group to identify a suitable cost effective solution and the additional contributions that are required to allow the scheme to progress."