VICTORIA Park flood defences were given Government approval as the Environment Minister took a tour of the new development.

Owen Paterson joined Warrington South MP David Mowat to see the finished first phase of the scheme and was talked through how the flood defences had already proved their worth after the tidal surge of the Mersey.

Mr Paterson said: “I’m a huge supporter of any scheme like this, that’s why we are putting more money in to them.

“You do see the benefits of these schemes. Also when you go to see some of those houses flooded you see the shocking impact on peoples lives caused by flooding .

“It’s great that they have the council on board, it’s really encouraging and it’s good to have the council putting in money.

“It would have been awful if the defence hadn’t been in place when the Mersey flooded with all those houses affected.”