WORK to improve flood defences at Wick near Christchurch have been completed.

The Environment Agency has finished work to extend the flood embankments at Wick Farm, which took place over the winter.

Contractors raised and extended existing flood embankments at Wick Farm, as well as made improvements to earlier defences, built in the 1990s.

It is hoped this will protect properties from tidal flooding from the nearby River Stour in future.

A section of the road in Wick Lane has been raised to prevent flood water from getting in behind the new defence.

Several environmental improvements have also been carried out as part of the scheme, which was carried out in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council and Natural England.

"Ditches in the adjacent Christchurch Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) have been restored to encourage wading birds such as redshank, curlew and lapwing.

"They like to feed in the shallow ditch water and muddy margins", said Sarah Guest, biodiversity officer for the Environment Agency.

Mark Goldingay, Environment Agency project manager said: "We have replanted the site with a variety of native trees and shrubs to provide berries, seeds and nectar for butterflies and other insects and also put up bat boxes in trees around the site."

Timber from trees that had to be felled to make way for the flood bank has also be reused, with logs now a refuge for reptiles, amphibians and insects and wood chippings used in Bournemouth Borough Council’s biomass boiler at King’s Park to heat the glasshouses or for mulching shrub borders.

Mark added: "We hope the environmental improvements, which were developed with Natural England and Bournemouth Borough Council, will enhance the outdoor experience for people using this area."