RESIDENTS in Catshill who, for more than 25 years, have suffered the misery of seeing their homes regularly flooded may soon be spared the agony.

The problems at Green Lane extend back to the early 1970s despite numerous attempts to solve the problem.

Now, following a survey commissioned by Bromsgrove District Council, the authority is set to give the go-ahead for the first phase of the work to begin.

It is proposed to create a series of balancing ponds alongside the stream running though the Recreation Ground.

These, plus weirs, which will be incorporated into them, will collect surface water and release it slowly into the stream to avoid causing problems further downsteam.

The five or six ponds will be landscaped to fit into the environment and the margins planted with suitable vegetation.

The council's head of technical services, John Moody, says in a report to an executive cabinet meeting tonight, that he anticipates the ponds will become an attractive feature in addition to giving protection to residents in Green Lane.

The work is expected not to exceed the £30,000 budget already set aside.

In addition to asking the cabinet to give the plan the go-ahead for the work as soon as possible, he says the council may wish to call a public meeting to inform residents of the proposals.

He said: "These are plans to reduce the immediate problem but further work is needed upstream to increase the balancing capacity and thereby reduce the problem further."

Cllr Bill Newnes, who represents the Catshill ward for Labour and has been battling to get the work started, said: "It's good news. I hope the work can be completed before Christmas."