North Wales has been flooded numerous times

Ruthin in Denbighshire, north Wales, was one of the worst-affected towns in Wales during the disastrous autumn floods of 2000.

But the area's local authority is now confident it can prevent such devastating problems happening again - thanks to almost �3m-worth of flood prevention work.

Among the most severely-hit parts were Mwrog Street and the Borthyn area of the town.

Since 1998, there have several incidents of flooding resulting from problems with a culvert, which runs from Mwrog Street to the River Clwyd.

Residents had to be evacuated three years ago when a culvert beneath the ground was unable to cope with continuous flood water.

Floods have taken property and treasured possessions

Denbighshire County Council has since developed a scheme to divert excess water from the River Clwyd away from the town centre.

A brook which runs under the street and along farmland to Denbigh Road will be re-directed to join the River Clwyd.

Contractual problems with the owners of the farmland which will now carry diverted river water have meant the cost of the scheme has doubled this year from �1.6m to just under �3m.

The council pressed ahead with the work, having made a pledge to people living in the town. Many families had seen their homes flooded four times in four years

The authority is confident future floods can be averted but many locals will only be convinced once the new system has been tested by the weather.