THE first flood defences of their type in the country have been put up for the first time as the River Severn rises at Bewdley.

The town's demountable fence was completed in November and will provide protection for residents on Severnside North and South.

The defences, which have been put up as a precautionary measure, took around six hours to install yesterday and are 180m long and 3m high.

Posts are bolted on to permanent steel base-plates level with the paving and barriers slotted in place. When river levels are normal the base plates are the only visible sign of the flood defence.

The Environment Agency said flood warnings were in place on the River Severn from Bevere to Tewkesbury and on the River Avon from Evesham to Tewkesbury.

The agency is telling people to stay alert and ensure a flood plan has been made if residents are normally at risk.

"Drivers should also be careful as they may come across floodwater," said an agency spokeswoman.

But residents of Waverley Street, Worcester, who suffered sewage flooding in the winter 2000 floods say they are optimistic they will not be affected this time.

A new pumping station on Navigation Road was opened last month to help the city's sewers cope.

"I'm totally convinced we would have flooded badly this weekend," said Mary Dhonau, chairman of Worcester Action Against Floods and a Waverley Street resident.

"But the pumping station has saved us all."

For up-to-date flooding information call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.