Plans to protect a north east Wales town from costly flooding problems have been passed by Denbighshire County Councillors.

Officers approved the preferred option - expected to cost around �900,000 - which will see water diverted to the north of the town and into the River Clwyd.

Over 90% of local people backed the scheme however some voiced safety concerns over the plans.

Ruthin was badly effected by the floods

Bryn Davies, development manager for Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd said the scheme was broadly welcomed.

But at Llys Famau, the plans show an open stream with no fencing, he said.

"If children went to play there, their parents couldn't see them so we would like a fence."

An alternative plan would have diverted the culvert beneath Mwrog Street - but the majority of local people questioned opposed it.

If you look on Mwrog Street where I live, it still looks like Beirut

June Jones, from Ruthin

The local authority outlined the flood prevention scheme after criticism from local businesses, who had accused them of not doing enough to prevent the flooding.

Specialist consultants were drafted in to work with the Welsh Assembly and the Environment Agency to determine a flood alleviation scheme for the town.

Councillor David Morris, cabinet member with responsibility for environment, said: "Consultants acting for the county council have determined that to alleviate the flooding, it will be necessary to completely divert the stream from its current route in Mwrog Street."

Heavy rain

Residents repeated their concerns to the local authority last year after the town was flooded for the third time in 12 months.

Heavy rain deluged the Mwrog Street culvert and caused damage in the Borthyn area.

June Jones has lived in Ruthin for 13 years and has been flooded four times, in 2001 she was left homeless for 5 months.

Mrs Jones - who backs the plans - said the floods caused more than �18,000 worth of damage to her home, she has backed the council's scheme to divert stream water away from her home.

Viable option

She said the town still has not recovered: "If you look on Mwrog Street where I live, it still looks like Beirut - people are not happy to take their sandbags away."

Consultants agreed that diverting the stream to the north of the town is the most viable option as it will take the stream away from the centre of Ruthin whilst reducing the flows in the River Clwyd.

However, it could result in the loss of farming land and increase the risk of flooding to agricultural areas.

Work is now expected to begin in the summer of 2002.