Winchester's new flood defences were officially unveiled in a ceremony at Park Avenue this afternoon.

The new barriers and flood wall are part of the second phase of an enhanced flood protection system for the city, with the first stage of the scheme having been completed in May.

The new defences will protect the St Bede’s and River Park areas of the city including St Bede School, Winchester School of Art, as well as homes and businesses located in the area.

The event included a demonstration of how the new defences will work with flood gates slotted into a new reinforced concrete wall that will close public openings in the hopes of slowing water ingress into the city

On a speech to the assembled crowd, Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry said that it was money spent on something he hoped would never have to be used. But that it showed that Winchester took the danger of flooding seriously.

The £1,085,000 project has been jointly funded by Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, the

Environment Agency and the University of Southampton.

Wesley Jones, flood defence team leader from the Environment agency said "It's a really great project, and with it talking just two and a half years from the start to the first defences being put in is unheard of. It shows the power of good partnerships."

The greatest flooding in Winchester occurred in the winter of 2000-2001, with significant damage to properties, and then again in the winter of 2013-14.

The city was saved by the damning of the River Itchen just below Easton and the flooding of farmland which eased the pressure downstream in Winchester.