A FLOOD alleviation scheme for Otley could be completed within the next three years.

Leeds City Council is working with the Environment Agency on a £2 million project to ensure the town, and neighbouring riverside communities, are better protected.

The money was announced in the Government's Autumn Statement last year and followed three incidents of flooding in Otley at the end of 2015.

On the last, and worst of those occasions - on Boxing Day - a total of 74 properties, including 55 homes, were flooded.

Now Leeds and the EA have issued an update on their plans which states that: "We are committed to providing a flood alleviation scheme for Otley and are accelerating the programme with a view to completing it by the end of 2020."

A six month period of work is to begin to update the digital model of the River Wharfe so that the best options for reducing flood risk can be weighed up.

The update, entitled Keeping You Informed, adds: "The Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme will adopt a catchment-wide approach.

"This means the entire River Wharfe catchment area will be considered to help reduce flood risk.

This approach will combine working with natural processes alongside engineered options.

"This could include creating flood water storage areas in the upper catchment, building woody debris dams to slow the water flow and looking at land use and drainage.

"Engineered options could include raising and building walls and embankments, flood storage areas and bypass channels."

Local councillors have welcomed the report.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: "I am pleased that progress is being made on a flood alleviation scheme for Otley and, in particular, that the Environment Agency is looking at a natural solution to the problem.

"Flooding is a particular problem for those householders affected and I hope we can build on the work already completed to minimise the risk of the recurrence of the events of 2015."

Otley Town Council Chairman Councillor Ray Georgeson added: "I commend the Environment Agency for initiating this bulletin, it it very timely and Otley residents will be interested in the progress that is being made.

"We were all delighted with the £2 million funding announcement last year that was lobbied for successfully by our former MP, Greg Mulholland.

"I agree that careful planning to make sure this money is well spent on the right projects is essential, whatever combination of natural management measures and flood defences is needed.

"The Oxford University-funded community modelling study that the town council supported will feed in to this planning and I am pleased to confirm that this study's findings will be made available during the summer."

*Local residents and businesses can check if they are eligible for the free flood warning service by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visiting gov.uk/flood .