PLANS for the first flood defences in Radcliffe have taken a leap forward.

The Environment Agency's most up-to-date drawings of designs for the town's first scheme in Close Park were unveiled at a drop-in session, attended by more than 50 residents.

Existing plans would see a 2.5m flood wall built at the rear of properties in Parkside Close, and a 3m-high earth embankment on the far side of the park.

This embankment would integrate a footpath and landscaping 'to soften' the overall appearance. The football pitches would act as a floodplain.

Under current plans, the existing park pavilion would also be raised to two storeys high.

It is hoped a planning application will be submitted to Bury Council in December, with the view for work to begin in April.

Residents have had their say on the design, which went on display at the Close Park Rangers Hut on Wednesday night.

Clarence Berry, aged 76 of Church Green, said: "We were under a foot of water when the Boxing Day floods came. The waters rose to the second step near our front door.

"Something had to be done. I hope this wall will protect residents. This is much more positive than we have seen before. We are finally making headway."

Paul Sinnott and wife Frances, of Dumers Close, attended the drop-in session. The couple were among several visitors who were glad to see the plans developing.

Residents and members of the Radcliffe and Redvales flood action groups have been campaigning for the defences for more than two and a half years.

Mr Sinnott, aged 62, said: "The proposals look good to me. The Environment Agency has been good.

"It is about time. We do not want a repeat of the Boxing Day floods in 2015. It has been almost three years since then.

"You have got to think these defences will be protecting the houses from any further flooding, and it will hopefully make them more sellable."

More than 670 homes in Radcliffe and Redvales were flooded when the River Irwell burst its banks following unprecedented rainfall on Boxing Day 2015.

In July, the Government announced it would close the £7 million funding gap needed to enable a long-awaited £46 million flood defence scheme to move forward.

Peter Costello, team leader for Flood and Coastal Risk Management with the EA, said: "It is a significant change in a beautiful park but we will be protecting people and properties.

"When the work is complete, there will be growth for the community, a better environment and access to the river.

"There was a very positive response from residents at the drop-in session.

"We are in the final design stage but the design is still evolving.

"We have been working in close partnership with Bury Council and our next stage is to submit the plans to the local authority, hopefully in December."