CONTRACTORS are set to move in at Downton to start work on the £2.5m flood defence scheme aimed at preventing villagers suffering a repeat of the floods of December 2000 and January this year.

At the same time, work has started on a £1.2m defence scheme for Fordingbridge, which suffered at the same time when the swollen River Avon burst its banks.

About 40 homes were hit by floods in Downton and nearly 30 in Fordingbridge.

Workmen have already begun preliminary work in Fordingbridge, repairing the banks of the Ashford Water, in West Street, and removing trees and bushes from the channel that could obstruct the flow.

Contractors are due to arrive in Downton at the beginning of April to start construction work on new flood banks, flood walls and a pumping station.

Nick Lyness, area flood defence manager for the Environment Agency, said the work should help two of the Avon's flood-prone communities.

He said: "If everything runs to plan, Downton can look forward to much better protection against flooding next winter.

"While we are doing all we can to find a similar long-term solution in Fordingbridge, the work now going on is a positive step to improving the immediate situation in the town."

Further work scheduled for Fordingbridge will be carried out by New Forest district council, Hampshire Highways and Fordingbridge town council. This will include improving a relief ditch that passes through West Street.

A public meeting is scheduled for May, to discuss the long-term solution to the town's flooding problems.

The work at Downton has been approved by the Avon and Dorset Local Flood Defence Committee and is grant-aided by Defra, with financial help from Salisbury district council.