Worcestershire is set to receive millions of pounds to tackle flooding.

The Government has announced the first communities to receive funding from the Frequently Flooded Allowance.

Areas with 10 or more properties that have been flooded at least twice in the last 10 years are eligible for the fund, which totals £100 million.

The first tranche includes 2,300 households and businesses, part of 53 flood defence projects, that are to receive better protection through a £26 million chunk of the fund.

Much of this funding will go to Worcestershire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria and the Calder Valley, which have been repeatedly flooded during various exceptional storms since 2015.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: ”We know only too well the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities and businesses, as we face more extreme weather brought about by climate change.

“I am determined that we do whatever we can to prevent flooding that affects so many towns and villages across the country.

“This much-needed funding will go a long way to support those whose homes and livelihoods are repeatedly threatened by flooding and forms a key part of our record £5.2 billion investment by 2027 to protect communities in England better.”

More than half of the 53 projects are to protect against flooding from rivers and more than a third is for protection against surface water flooding, the Government said.

The projects are a mix of hard engineering flood defences and natural measures. Funding will also be used for the installation of flood doors and barriers for properties, which the Government said will help homes where traditional defence schemes are not viable.

More projects are expected to be announced before 2027 when the flood capital investment programme ends.

Caroline Douglass, executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: “Increased flooding is just one of the impacts of climate change we are seeing in the UK and around the world.

“Protecting people and communities is our top priority as we look to tackle this challenge.

“The funding announced today will help better protect homes and businesses at risk from repeated flood incidents across the country.

“The Environment Agency’s strong track record in delivering flood defence schemes means we have better protected 374,000 homes since 2015.”