Town councillors have given £38,000 towards a natural flood defence scheme designed to protect properties across Kenilworth.

Kenilworth Town Council previously gave £35,700 to the project which is run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in partnership with Finham Brook Flood Action Group.

The scheme was launched following flooding to properties on Northvale Close which back onto the brook and have flooded on a number of occasions.

An update to the town council last month said the scheme has so far been successful in protecting local properties.

Natural defences including creating pools, wetlands, planting hedgerows and trees, creating buffer strips and creating deflectors in ditches and brooks have all been used over the past few years.

Updating councillors, Cllr Kate Dickson said: "It was initiated by the flood action group which is around Northvale Close and that area of Kenilworth which has regularly, over many years, been affected by flooding and has had to provide mitigation for their own homes to prevent damage."

She added: "From what we can see, the first phase has been effective in preventing flooding this year - which has been another exceptional year."

While some councillors did question how effective the scheme had been, and how this is actually monitored, they voted unanimously in favour of the funding.

The scheme is said to benefit not just residents at Northvale Close, but also users of Odibourne Allotments. And it is hoped to reduce the need for road closures on Castle Road and Rouncil Lane.

A report from the trust to the council explained: "Residents at individual risk of flooding will have their flood risk diminished, which will reduce anxiety during adverse weather events. 

"The likelihood of very severe flooding events requiring the support of emergency and council services should also be curtailed. 

"Community facilities such as the swimming pool and Odibourne Allotments will also have their flood risk reduced, which will have a positive impact on all users of these facilities. 

"Incidences of road closures at the Castle Road and Rouncil Lane fords due to flooding should be reduced. 

"These road closures can have impacts on local residents and through traffic, especially as Castle Road is one of the through routes in Kenilworth and its closure at peak traffic times can lead to severe traffic congestion. 

"The proposed natural flood management and nature-based measures will also lead to improved water quality along the length of Finham Brook, which will lead to increased biodiversity along the whole river corridor, and increased access to wildlife for everyone in the area."

As with the previous application, money for the scheme will be provided from the council's CIL funding - cash raised from local housing developers to be spent on local infrastructure projects.