Defences installed at homes after repeated floods

Flood defences have been installed at 31 homes in Stafford following years of repeated flooding.

The Environment Agency (EA) has put flood doors, flood-resistant air bricks and pumps in place at the properties on Sandon Road to reduce the risk of water damage.

The area has suffered from flooding in recent years, the EA said, due to the close proximity of Sandyford Brook, which runs between Stafford Common and the River Sow.

The agency said the flat landscape and ground subsidence reduced the drainage system's effectiveness, meaning water could build up on the road and around nearby homes.

Will Groves, senior flood risk officer, said the new measures would provide "practical" resilience and "make a real difference to people's lives".

"While we cannot prevent flooding entirely, we can ensure homes are better prepared, more resilient, and able to recover more quickly," he added.

The EA said it was also in discussion with a developer about building a flood storage area upstream of Sandon Road, which it said would further reduce the risk of flooding.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.