A £23 million flood defence scheme in Warrington has been crowned Project of the Year at the North West Construction Awards.

The finished scheme will eventually reduce the risk of flooding to more than 2,000 homes and businesses in Warrington from the Mersey.

Mark Garratt, Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager, said winning Project of the Year is ‘a fantastic endorsement for a community-led project’.

He added: “These awards are testament to our commitment to working in partnership with communities to identify ways of enhancing the local landscape at the same time as reducing flood risk.”

Phase one of the Mersey Warrington Flood Risk Management Scheme, which includes a 1.5km stretch of flood walls and embankments along Knutsford Road in Latchford, has now been complete.

The second phase of construction is underway in Howley, with the third and final phase to be constructed in Woolston, Padgate, Kingsway North, Cinnamon Brow and Latchford East by spring 2015.