AN £8 MILLION scheme to reduce the risk of flooding in the Washburn Valley is being carried out by Yorkshire Water.

Improvements to Lindley Wood, Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs are due to start this month and take more than a year to complete.

They will include the raising of the dam crests by one metre and improvements to the spillways.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said the work would increase the overflow capacity at all three reservoirs.

"We are planning ahead for the future and aiming to reduce the risk of flooding in the Washburn Valley."

He said that the company was working closely with parish councils, and the planning and highways authorities and added that every effort was being made to reduce disruption while work was going on.

"Customers' water supply and sewage will not be effected while work is taking place," he told the Wharfedale Observer.

"Work is due to start this month and take about 20 months with the work at Lindley Wood expected to be finished by next September."

Some footpaths will be diverted during work but all roads in the area will remain open.

He added: "Yorkshire Water would like to thank all our customers for their support while this work, which is being done to meet current flood standards, is taking place."