Three ponds have been dug to address the risk of flooding in a village.

The ponds were dug in land between the village cricket pitch and Green Close in Ringmer, near Lewes and have the capacity to hold approximately 560,000 litres of water.

The scheme is a partnership between Lewes District Council and Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust and aims to provide a natural solution to flooding.

Residents in Bishops Close and Green Close often experience flooding when surface water from heavy rainfall overwhelms underground drains.

 “There are so many benefits of working in harmony with our environment rather than against it and natural flood management epitomises that philosophy,” said Peter King, director of the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust.

“Not only will the ponds we’ve introduced help to reduce flood risk to 15 homes, we are also creating new habitats for wildlife by nurturing wetland areas, planting 150 metres of hedgerow and 500 hundred pollinator-friendly plants.”

Councillor Matthew Bird, cabinet member for sustainability, said: “The work being done in Ringmer is a fantastic showcase for what can be achieved by employing nature based solutions that help protect local homes, but also increase biodiversity and tackle the climate crisis we are facing.

“We have funded similar natural flood management schemes in many different parts of the district where flooding is a cause of concern for our residents.”