Work to ready Strood Waterfront for a major new development has almost reached completion.

The plans to develop flood defences along the river are a result of a £3.5 million grant from the government's Local Growth Fund.

The council invested the money in flood defences in preparation for a wider development of over 1,000 new homes on the former Civic Centre and Strood riverside brownfield sites.

The development also allows for affordable housing, business premises and public spaces.

Flood defences along the river front are expected to be completed by the summer.

An eight-week public consultation carried out last year found the majority of respondents would like the project to go ahead, with many describing the town as the “poor relation to Rochester”.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con), said: "The flood defence works are the first step in the transformation of Strood Waterfront.

"This project is paving the way for future development of the site with hundreds of homes, including affordable housing, in a fantastic location with breath-taking views across the river to Rochester Castle and is close to two railway stations.

"The work to transform Strood Waterfront also compliments the ongoing Local Growth Fund works in Strood Town Centre.

"The regeneration works in Strood will provide growth for all and reaffirm that Strood is a great place to live, work, learn and visit."

Christian Brodie, Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership said: "Work to improve the flood defences on Strood Waterfront was vital to unlocking the development potential of this brownfield, town centre site.

"Coupled with the support for the improvements in the town centre, the Local Growth Fund’s multi-million pound investment in the future of Strood is now producing visible results on the ground, benefitting businesses, supporting growth and most importantly creating a great place to live for local people."

For more information about the transformation works visit www.medway.gov.uk/yournewstrood