THREE hundred Poole homes are set to be protected from flooding after the government released £1.5million funding four years early.

The money has been allocated from the six-years Flood Defence Programme and was originally allocated to Creekmoor for 2020/21. Now it has been brought forward to 2016/17 and will be used to reduce the risk of tidal flooding during surges and surface water flooding during heavy rain storms.

"It's positive news that the Environment Agency have the confidence in our ability to deliver the programme sooner than originally planned," said Cllr Xena Dion, Borough of Poole cabinet portfolio holder for flood and coastal management.

"We can now begin the process of actually obtaining the allocated funds by establishing the most appropriate and effective form of flood defence for Creekmoor."

Cllr John Rampton, ward member for Creekmoor said: "This is fantastic news for Creekmoor residents and businesses in the Fleetsbridge area.

"With our local knowledge, we ward members were able to make representation on the SMP (Shoreline Management Plan) on significant flood risk in the area and its mitigation.

"We're very gratified that real money is now going to be spent protecting local peoples' homes and livelihoods and more than happy at how safe they will be now from freak weather events, exceptional tides and rising sea levels."

The funding is part of £11m released by government to protect more than 4,000 homes in the south west. It will enable a feasibility study to take place in 2016/17, followed by works planned for 2017/18.