A TWO week clean-up of a river in Waltham Abbey has been completed, with the removal of around 900 tonnes of gravel and silt.

The works, in the River Lea Flood Relief Channel, have been carried out as part of efforts by the Environment Agency to reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

The dredging started on September 14, and has cost a total of £45,000.

The Environment Agency says it plans to send all the gravel recovered from the river bed to a recycling plant, where it will be cleaned and then sold on.

Agency officer Colin Street said: “The River Lea Flood Relief Channel is a very important flood defence asset, reducing the risk of flooding to many homes and businesses in the Lea valley.

"Keeping the channel running at its design capacity during high flows is very important and this is what removing the gravel and reeds will achieve.

“I am pleased with the results of this work, regular maintenance is essential for flood relief channels as they play such a vital part in peoples lives."

For more information on whether your house is at risk of flooding, visit environment-agency.gov.uk or call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188.