Flood-hit residents are "thrilled and grateful" after multi-million pound town defences were finally approved after a long funding battle.

Flood walls, groundwater pumps and overflow ‘containment areas’ costing about £8 million will now be constructed around Marlow to protect an estimated 287 town properties.

The plan, which has had planning permission since 2010, had looked in doubt after problems bridging a £3 million funding gap.

But the Environment Agency (EA) has announced full funding has now been allocated by the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, with work due to begin as early as New Year.

Campaigner Wendy McEvoy, whose elderly parents were forced out of their Pound Lane home during last winter’s awful flooding, has welcomed the announcement.

She said: "It’s absolutely fantastic, very good news, we’re thrilled and grateful.

"It can only help my parents. My dad was completely shocked when I rang him, the decision seemed to come out of nowhere.

"It just needed that extra bit [of funding]. It was definitely worth all the hard work, it was a real joint effort and I’m really glad it’s paid off."

Ms McEvoy and her sister, Sandra Jeffs, launched a ‘Fight the Floods’ petition in May and delivered the 500-signature to Downing Street.

Planning permission for the £8 million scheme was due to expire in May 2015, sparking an urgent appeal for the missing cash to be found.

She said Dominic Grieve had been "extremely supportive" during the process and she thanked him for his work lobbying government colleagues.

Mr Grieve has spoken of his delight at the funding, which is separate from the £2.3billion cash pot for new schemes revealed during the Government’s autumn statement this week.

The EA will lead the project, in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council, Wycombe District Council and Marlow Town Council.

New flood walls, pumps and overflow areas will be installed around Lower Pound Lane and the Gossmore area to protect homes on the front line.