A permanent flood defence scheme for Severn Stoke is a step closer after plans have been accepted and action can now be taken.

The Environment Agency is behind the scheme, which has been in the planning stage for around 18 months, but now the plans have been accepted by the agency, and land owners in the village, it can move onto the next stage.

The agency will now develop a fully-fledged defence scheme to protect homes and business, as well as keeping the A38 road open.

Attention now moves into funding the project, although the final value of the defences is not yet known.

Peter Fryar, landlord of the Rose and Crown Pub in the village, says it is good news and a few steps forward along a long road.

Mr Fryar, who is also a member of Flag (Severn Stoke Flood Action Group), said: "It's one or two steps forward on what is a long road towards having permanent flood defences here. It will probably take around three years to achieve it.

"It's all good news at the moment on the flooding front.

"Hopefully flooding can be a thing of the past around here in the near future."

Severn Stoke was devastated in February 2014 with sewage water running through its roads and paths.

During those floods 19 homes, the village hall, St Denys Church and the Rose and Crown pub were flooded.

Harriett Baldwin met with the Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan and the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee chair Anne Wheeler to discuss the importance of delivering a flood defence scheme in Severn Stoke.

The West Worcestershire MP said: "There have been extensive conversations with local landowners to try and find a plan that protects the village and works for the people who own the land.

"The Environment Agency is now looking at the scheme in detail and I will work with the local authorities to attempt to secure funding to make the scheme a reality.

"The protection of the village and the A38 has been one of my key aims in West Worcestershire and I am pleased that further progress is now being made."

Members of Severn Stoke's community have raised around £4,500 toward the flood defence in recent years, through a number of fundraising events.

Mr Fryar says this is an amazing amount, considering the small population of Severn Stoke, and shows how important its residents believe it to be.