They are part of defences for a scheme to protect about 50,000 homes in and around Nottingham.

But some residents in Burton Joyce fear the move will increase the risk of flooding in rural areas.

The Environment Agency said works were due to be finished before the Nottingham flood protection scheme was completed in 2011.

The plans include higher flood banks at Barton in Fabis and a new pumping station in Burton Joyce.

Julie O'Neill, of the village's residents' association, said: "As a result of the flood alleviation scheme, the water that's displaced from the protections in Nottingham will affect all the villages downstream between Stoke Bardolph and Bleasby and we will have additional flooding risk.

"We want (the Environment Agency) to guarantee these protections, just in the same way as the Environment Agency would insist that other developers who create additional flood risk would be expected to guarantee this."