17 February 2013 Last updated at 07:01 ET

Environment Agency money spent improving flood defences in Durham

Flood-hit communities in County Durham are to benefit from improved defences thanks to a £4m funding boost.

More than half of the Environment Agency money, £2.3m, will be spent strengthening walls in Seaham Harbour.

Durham County Council has also earmarked other areas to gain including Bishop Auckland, Staindrop, Greta Bridge and Stanhope.

Work will begin on six schemes over the next three years including in Spring Gardens, Bishop Auckland.

The council said £400,000 would be spent on the Tindale Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme in Bishop Auckland and £70,000 in the Greta Bridge area.