FLOOD defences along Severnside South in Bewdley have been completed - three weeks earlier than expected.

Workmen put the last brick in place on Friday afternoon but will remain on site until January, completing work on Gardeners Meadow car park and the road surface along the quayside.

The defences extend from Bewdley Bridge to the cricket ground and are estimated to have cost £7 million.

The Environment Agency started construction last spring after work was carried out by Transco and Severn Trent Water.

A new walkway along the lower quay and a new civic space near Bewdley Bridge have been created.

The defences at Severnside North and Severnside South are designed to protect 175 properties on the west bank in a flood, with a one in 100 chance of it happening in any one year.

Project manager, Roger Prestwood, said: "This could not be more timely. We have put the final brick in the floodwall just as Bewdley faces the first floods of the winter. We have kept our promise to the people of Bewdley to defend Severnside in time for the winter flood season.

"Bewdley Severnside is now ready for almost anything nature can throw at us but, with the effects of global warming, there is always the possibility of a freak storm and people should remain prepared."

Peter Barnett, of the Bewdley Residents Flood Committee, said: "We are very pleased that it is coming to an end. We are looking to the future from our side of the river with some confidence."

A trial to protect houses in Wribbenhall is also under way, as Severn Trent Water is currently working at Beales Corner, so works can be carried out by the Environment Agency for a temporary pallet barrier.

Lyn Fraley, spokeswoman for the Environment Agency, said: "We have bought the equipment and the pumps and are awaiting Severn Trent to finish their work." She added the Environ-ment Agency was expected to start enabling work after Christmas.

On Thursday, the Severnside North defences were erected to deal with rising water levels in preparation for peak levels on Friday and were later taken down that evening.

The full extent of the Severnside South defences did not need to be erected but the first 24 metres closest to Bewdley Bridge were put in place to help protect Severnside North.