42 new flood schemes have been given the green light by Floods Minister Dan Rogerson.

A further 13 schemes previously given funding will also begin construction, bringing the total number of schemes starting work to 55 for this year.

In all, the new schemes starting construction this year will provide protection to over 42,000 households across the country.

An additional £130m will also help to secure and maintain critical flood defences before next winter hits.

New schemes announced today include:

• £9.4 million Port Clarence and Greatham scheme in Teesside which will improve protection to 350 homes from flooding.

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• £4 million scheme in Croston, Lancashire which will improve protection to 460 homes from the River Yarrow.

• £2.5 million scheme on the Upper River Tame in Titford, which will improve protection to 150 homes.

A total of £344 million will be spent on capital projects this year. Over the course of this Parliament more money than ever before will be spent protecting people from flooding with the government spending £3.1bn.

The investment is part of the government's long-term flood defence spending programme to protect communities and deliver vital infrastructure projects. This will ensure 165,000 homes are better protected by 2015 – 20,000 more than the original target.

Mr Rogerson, said: "After the wettest January for over 200 years, Britain has been battered by some exceptional weather and communities have been devastated by the impact of flooding.

"Our flood defences have been seriously tested over the past two months which is why we are investing in repairs to ensure these crucial defences can withstand future storms.

"More money than ever before is being invested in flood defences and the new schemes will give greater security to thousands of homes and businesses that have previously feared flooding."

(CD/JP)