Ruthin has been flooded on several occasions

Denbighshire County Council has confirmed that measures to protect Ruthin from further floods will now cost �3m - almost twice the original �1.6m estimate.

The price was reviewed in May 2003 and councillors were told then that the scheme would cost �2.1m.

People living in the town had been promised defences to prevent further damage to their homes after the area flooded four times in four years.

It is believed the figure has increased because initial tenders were sought before costs were finalised to ensure the scheme was completed as soon as possible.

When the final costs were added up, variations to contracts, compensation, land acquisition prices and changes to the scheme from outside agencies pushed the bill up.

Our priority has always been to protect the people of Ruthin whose homes were flooded in 2000 and 2001 Eryl Williams, Denbighshire council leader

The defence scheme had previously hit delays, angering local people and assembly member Brynle Williams.

Mr Williams has written to the local authority demanding an explanation.

The council had previously agreed to spend an extra �600,000 on the project.

The additional costs again will be funded by the authority but the Welsh assembly has been asked to meet 85% of the total cost.

Severe flooding has affected homes and businesses around the Mwrog Street and Borthyn areas of the town.

Since 1998, there have been a number of separate floods resulting from problems with a culvert, which runs from Mwrog Street to the River Clwyd.

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

The water will then be carried away from the town.

"Our priority has always been to protect the people of Ruthin whose homes were flooded in 2000 and 2001," said Denbighshire council leader Eryl Williams.

The project is now expected to be completed by October.