ENVIRONMENT Minister Elliot Morley is to visit Ryedale next week to view work on the Malton and Norton flood defences.

Work started this week after the Yorkshire Flood Liaison Committee and DEFRA agreed funding for the project.

The minister, who last visited Malton with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott during the November 2000 floods, will meet local people during his visit.

Mr Morley, who has flooding as part of his portfolio, will talk to staff from the Environment Agency and contractors.

"He will also speak to local residents whose homes will be protected by the scheme," said an Agency spokesman.

Work finally got under way this week when contractors were given the go-ahead to start work.

The job is likely to take until the end of the year - residents are hopeful the project will be fast-tracked following several weeks delay.

Workmen have put up a base at a site near the Sundella Drinks Factory, in Sheepfoot Hill, Malton.

Contractors Interserve Water, from Oldham, are overseeing the project, which is costing £6.3 million.

The defence scheme will consist of a combination of flood walls and earth banks which will vary in height to provide flood protection.

Project manager John MacDonald said currently sheet metal barriers were being fitted together behind the Sundella Factory.

Agency area manager Craig McGarvey said: "Starting work on the scheme is the culmination of a lot of hard work by Agency staff and our partners.

"All of the organisations have squeezed two years work into a period of months - I would like to thank everyone who has been involved."

Updated: 12:24 Friday, January 18, 2002