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A £720,000 scheme is being built to reduce the risk of flooding for Lydney residents in the Forest of Dean.

The construction of the flood defences, which will begin on 3 May, will protect 11 houses and two large factories situated on Mead Lane and Station Road.

The Environment Agency said this would reduce the risk of flooding from River Lyd and The Cut to 1% a year.

Stewart Charters, managing director of one of the affected factories, said the scheme posed "a huge economic benefit".

He added: "The potential for flooding deterred new employers from occupying property.

"The completion of the scheme should safeguard jobs that would otherwise be at risk."