A multi-million pound package to help counties hit by the 2007 flood was unveiled yesterday.

Severn Trent announced it would spend £3million on flood risk management in Worcestershire and Warwickshire over two years.

The Severn Trent Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC) looked at more than £16million worth of Midlands schemes and selected communities which hit by the flood along with other areas identified as at risk.

Parts of Worcestershire, badly hit after record levels of rain in June and July, 2007, will receive a share of the cash.

The towns and villages of Broadway, Uckinghall, Powick and Pershore in Worcestershire, are expected to get more than £2million for flood risk management projects from this year, while Wickhamford near Evesham will start receiving money in 2010, it was announced at a meeting yesterday.

The county was left with £9million of damage to roads and schools with 5,000 houses flooded and 2,000 families evacuated. Worcestershire County Cricket ground and the Severn Valley Railway were out of action for months and more than 4,700 households were still in temporary accommodation, caravans or the top floor of their houses, a year later.

Birmingham-based Severn Trent saw more than £18million go down the drain as 140,000 households lost water.

Broom and Alcester in Warwickshire were allocated more than £1.8million in funds this year and a flood protection scheme in Marcliff is earmarked to begin in 2011.

RFDC chairman Tim Farr said: “Many projects look at the issues that result from climate change and aim to protect vulnerable communities.

“The main objective remains to try to find solutions to the flooding problems that affect so many communities across the Midlands, and our efforts will remain focused on that outcome.”

The announcement was welcomed by MPs, councillors and action groups.

Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, said: “I am delighted and relieved the residents of Broadway and Wickhamford are going to get the improved flood protection they so urgently need. I appreciate there may be concern in Wickhamford they will have to wait a year longer for the complete scheme, but the earlier phases will bring immediate benefits.  I have seen the damage repeated floods have caused in these villages and am very pleased good partnership working between the Environment Agency and Wychavon District Council has led to this outcome.”

Powick District and County Councillor Tom Wells said: “I am delighted the Environment Agency has been able to support this vital scheme in Powick.

“Not only will it help residents who were affected, but thousands of commuters who use this route daily.”