A PUBLIC exhibition for residents to find out more about a five month scheme to reduce the risk of flooding in north Durham is being held next week.

Almost £1 million is being invested by Northumbrian Water, which is installing 747m of new sewer pipes in villages near Stanley.

The pipes will be installed along North Road and Harelaw Gardens, Harelaw, and North Road, Dipton.

A tank, which will hold up to 535,000 litres of storm water in times of heavy rainfall will also be constructed in a farmer’s field in Harelaw.

Seymour Civil Engineering will carry out the £939,486 scheme on behalf of the water company, starting Monday, October 27.

Residents in the area have been invited to attend an information session on Wednesday at Harelaw School, Catchgate, Annfield Plain, Stanley, between 4pm and 7.30pm.

Experts from Northumbrian Water and their contractor and consultant will be on hand to answer any queries or concerns.

Kevin Fleming, Northumbrian Water’s project manager, said:"With weather patterns changing we need to ensure we are prepared for the future and reducing the risk of flooding is one of our top priorities.

"I would like to encourage residents to come along to our customer information session to find out, in more detail, how this work will impact on them.

"Residents and commuters should be assured that we are working closely with Durham County Council to do all we can to keep disruption and inconvenience to a minimum."

Temporary traffic management will be in place throughout the course of the work and construction traffic will need access to all working areas and to Northumbrian Water’s site compound, which will on land to the west of North Road.