North Wales has been flooded numerous times

Bangor-on-Dee in Wrexham has a long history of flooding and had been protected recently by walls and embankments.

But after very high river levels in 2000, a detailed study by the Environment Agency discovered that the defences needed to be strengthened urgently.

The village has flooded on several occasions in recent years.

However, residents have said their homes had never been flooded because of high river levels or the Dee bursting its banks.

They say the flooding has been caused by poor drainage system.

Three years ago, villagers were put on high alert after the river rose to dangerous levels.

While the defences in place protected the 450 properties from flooding, further defences have now been put in place.

The scheme, which started in December 2002, involved refurbishing and strengthening the walls' structures.

"I am delighted that this important scheme of strengthening the flood defences at Bangor-on-Dee has now been completed," said Paul Reeves, of the Environment Agency.

"Our northern area project team have worked hard to reach this point and there has been extensive consultation with the local community."