Long-awaited flood alleviation work in a north Wales town is due to move a step closer.

Denbighshire Council is expected to announce on Friday it has appointed a contractor to carry out the work in Ruthin and that it has set a date to start.

The �1m defence scheme has hit delays, angering local residents and politicians.

Work was held up after a dispute with landowners.

The culvert is prone to flooding

Ruthin residents had been promised defences to prevent further damage to their homes after the area flooded four times in four years.

But the Environment Agency has said that many residents living in the worst-hit area of the town have not signed up to a 24-hour flood warning telephone messaging service.

The Agency has said it is surprised that just 165 properties out of 400 in the worst-hit part of town have signed up for the scheme.

It is appealing for the remaining residents to register for the scheme.

Speaking about the delays, before Christmas, Clwyd West AM Alun Pugh said: "The project is desperately needed to remove the very real fear of flooding from the town."

Severe flooding

In the past severe flooding has affected residential and commercial properties around the Mwrog Street and Borthyn areas of the town.

Since 1998, there have been a number of separate flooding incidents 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.

Councillors carried out a consultation last year over the plans and more than 90% of the public were in favour of the initiative.