Work on the long-awaited flood defence system for Marlow will begin next year, the Government has officially confirmed.

The £7m project to construct flood walls, containment areas and pumping stations along the Pound Lane and Gossmore areas was finally agreed last year.

And now with final funding agreements in place, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss confirmed work will begin in 2016, with the scheme expected to take a year once started.

She said: “What today’s announcement means is greater peace of mind for thousands of people who are at risk from flooding across the South East.

“Work will begin on 40 flood defence projects sooner than originally planned.”

EA flooding boss for the Thames area Barry Russell, who is from Marlow, told the MFP earlier this year he is committed to delivering the project to protect the town from a repeat of last year's devastating flooding.

Work is currently underway to finalise the details, which will protect an estimated 280 properties in Marlow at the highest risk of flooding.

The green light was issued just months before the five-year planning permission for the EA scheme was due to run out.

In total, £41 million of the six-year flood defence programme announced in December will be brought forward, which the Government says will provide better protection for more than 12,000 homes.