FLOOD-HIT villagers in Ryedale are so frustrated with the Environment Agency's lack of action they have taken matters into their own hands and have built their own flood defence system.

Residents in Hovingham have dug a massive trench which they hope will divert flood waters safely away from their homes from one beck to another nearby.

The project came about when residents, whose homes had been flooded, called for positive action during an emergency meeting of the parish council.

Richard Orange-Bromhead, a retired civil engineer who lives in the village, said work on the trench began at the weekend just as more flood warnings were being issued.

"The bad weather didn't come after all, but we worked throughout Saturday and Sunday just in case it did," he said.

"If and when the floods come again we're hoping - though there is no guarantee - that it will stop the waters rising.

"People were sick of sitting on their hands waiting for something to be done."

At the height of November's flooding, about 20 homes were effected.

The trench, which has been dug on land at nearby Hovingham farm, will hopefully divert water from the beck running through the centre of Hovingham to nearby Marrs Beck, where there are no houses.

The maintenance of the becks is overseen by the Rye Internal Drainage Board, which has given its permission for the scheme to go ahead.

Parish clerk Eddie Lucas said the ditch project was presented to the parish council which decided to pursue the matter.

"A lady called Heather Stroud, who lives in the village, started going round collecting money from residents and businesses," he said.

"Many people gave donations of £100 each and very quickly we had raised about £1,500, which should cover the cost of the scheme.

"The Rye Drainage Board, which looks after the running of the becks there, have been very co-operative.

"The land on which the ditch has been built belongs to Sir Marcus Worsley who has been very kind in letting us carry out this project."

Work on the ditch was done using a mechanical digger which was loaned to the organisers, said Mr Orange-Bromhead.

"There is still some work to be done on Wednesday, when the digger will next be available to us," he said.

"When it's finished we want to test it by blocking up the sluice gate using a bale of hay or something similar.

"This should create flood conditions and we should see then whether the diversion ditch will work properly as we hope it will."

Sir Marcus Worsley, who owns Hovingham Farm, said the scheme had been carried out with his full backing.

He said: "The villagers and myself contributed money to the scheme and my estate is taking the matter very seriously.

"The estate will have to maintain it, but if it stops further flooding it will be worth it."

Eric Bowles, clerk to the Rye Internal Drainage Board, said authority had been granted for the diversion to be put in place.