Work is continuing on a £45 million flood defence project in Leeds city centre, it has been announced.

A river footbridge at the manmade Knostrop island has now been taken away for refurbishment.

In addition, work is underway to remove a 600 metre length of land at the island.

The works will allow the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation to be merged, increasing the flow of water out of the city centre during a flood event.

The £45m scheme involves the introduction of moveable weirs, low level embankments, terracing and riverside walls designed to protect Leeds city centre from a river flood event.

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Earlier elements of the project included the removal of the existing Victorian weir at Knostrop and replacing it with a new moveable weir which can lowered in high water conditions to control the flow of water and reduce river levels.

Councillor Richard Lewis said: "We are very pleased that this vital scheme to help protect our residents and businesses in Leeds is progressing well. There is lots of activity to be seen with the team now moving on to the removal of Knostrop Cut. This project is essential to help avoid the problems caused by flooding so we look forward to the level of progress continuing in the months to come."

When completed, the flood defences will protect over 3,000 homes and 500 businesses.

It will also protect 300 acres of development land and open up key regeneration opportunities in the South Bank area.

(LM/CD)