THE misery caused by flooding in Downton should be a thing of the past, after a £2.5m defence scheme was officially opened this week.

The village has been badly flooded seven times since 1960, and 17 families were evacuated in 2000, when the River Avon burst its banks and water poured into their homes.

Following this destruction, the government made Downton a special case and embarked on the long-awaited defence scheme.

On Monday, relieved villagers watched former Wessex regional flood defence committee chairman Giles Sturdy cut the ribbon near the new pumping station at Green Lane.

The project, which protects more than 130 properties and reduces the risk of flooding to once in every 75 years, has several elements, including 1,200m of floodbanks, and 1,000m of floodwalls, new channels in the River Avon and its tributary the Newcourt Carrier, and better surface water drainage.

The historic watercourses, meadows and ditches in Downton have also been improved and there is a better flood warning system for residents most at risk.

"When it floods, it is absolutely terrifying," said Kate Davey, who lives in The Borough.

"There was nowhere for me and my dogs to go, so we just had to live upstairs until the water went away.

"It did a lot of damage to the downstairs rooms and my garden, and took ages to dry out."

Resident Jenny Tanner has already noticed an improvement after the recent heavy rain.

"There were fewer puddles and pieces of land under water," she said.

"I'm very pleased we've got this scheme and we're all crossing our fingers that it works."

Children from Downton CofE primary school played a musical fanfare at the ceremony to launch the scheme, before planting heather near the commemorative plaque.

Graham Green-Buckley, of the Environment Agency, then thanked the parish, district and county councils for their support, along with residents of Downton, the construction team and designers Halcrow.

"Downton was a particularly complex scheme," he said.

"We really appreciated the co-operation and patience of the local residents and businesses."

Photographs showing the extent of the floods in the past were presented to those who had helped with the project.

"For years, the flooding in our houses and on our roads has been a nightmare for people living in Downton," said chairman of the parish council Barbara Carter.

"We are delighted that our flood defence scheme has happened at last, and want to thank everyone concerned."