The first flood alleviation works of their kind in Wales, which are being carried out in a Powys village, could be "one of the biggest in Europe" once completed.

Heavy rain and strong gales from Storm Franklin in late February 2022 saw the River Severn bursting its banks which led to residents in Llandinam being evacuated by boat.

A bund embankment made from earth is being built near the A470 trunk road in the southern end of the village to protect properties from flooding. Work is also planned to clear timber from the area and clean the stream that flows into the River Severn.

County councillor for Llandinam Karl Lewis told residents earlier this month that the "fight continues".

"It’s not over yet but at least the properties of Llandinam and Tregerddi that were flooded on the 20th of February will be able to have some sort of assurance that their properties won’t flood," he said.

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"Many people have made comments that the bank isn’t big enough, deep enough, strong enough etc. But I can assure you that it has been designed by engineers in Powys County Council to cope with a similar flood back in February last year and if that does happen again the bund will protect the Tregerddi properties, I have been told.

"The next part of the fight is going to be with the river restoration. The river points towards the A470 and in turn endangers the bungalows.

"I know everyone wants river dredging. Believe you me I want the same but that’s not how things are done these days apparently so we’ve got to go down the route of natural restoration which involves tree trunks in the river creating a swirl that will carry the gravel away naturally. No machinery needed for constantly clearing it out.

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"Apparently, this has been done in Scotland and it works, and this will be the first time it is done in Wales and if it comes off, which I’m sure it will, it will be the biggest one of its type in the UK and I’m led to believe it’s going to be the biggest of its type in Europe. So exciting times if it works here.

"Hopefully Natural Resources Wales might roll it out in other areas of Wales and lessons can be learnt from the Environment Agency; they can learn from what’s happened here with the river gravels in Llandinam. The fight goes on but at least the first part, the part that many people thought I would never get, we’ve got it."

Cllr Lewis thanked Powys County Council's Llanidloes depot and Matt Perry, portfolio holder for highways Councillor Jackie Charlton, and Andrew Jones and ‘Awi’ from the Trunk Road Agency for their "amazing" work.

He added: "You know who you are, many are from my ward. Thank you, residents. Your support has been immense and very much appreciated by all."