A pledge has been made that cash will be available to help shore up a flood-hit Pendle town.

Council bosses have indicated £40,000 should be available to complete flood defences in Earby, as part of a £157,000 initiative.

Around £179,000 had been set aside for relief operations in Pendle Council’s financial plan for 2013-14 and discussions had been held over ‘de-allocating’ the money for other priorities.

But Coun David Whipp told an executive meeting that leaving aside £40,000 would trigger the release of around £50,000 promised via various local planning approvals.

He said: “Water Street is not named Water Street for no reason.

“Historically there has been severe flooding down there. All these little schemes are reducing the risk.

“!The hope is that the Environment Agency may carry out a much larger scheme, which would give us a more significant reduction, but that is probably receding”

The £90,000 schemes would see perimeter strengthening on Keb Bridge to prevent the beck overflowing on to Water Street, and drainage work. Two schemes totalling £52,500 and £15,000 have been completed by, or will be carried out with the support of Lancashire County Council.