FLOOD warning advice is being given to more than 500 Lymington residents whose properties continue to be at risk until a £3.5 million defence scheme is completed in the winter.

The Environment Agency has completed its study for the Lymington flood alleviation project, due to start in September and take about three months to complete.

It involves driving in sheet piling between the river and the railway line north of the Bridge Road level crossing.

The road level will be raised and flood gates installed to keep water away from the railway, Waterloo Road and other low-lying residential and industrial areas.

The project will be the final phase of a multi-million pound flood defence scheme for riverside properties from Bath Road to Ampress, where the new Lymington New Forest Hospital has recently opened.

Particular care will be taken in this year's final phase not to disturb wildlife in the Lymington River reed beds which, in addition to being a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of a Special Protection Area, is also in the New Forest National Park.

The last major flooding incident in the Waterloo Road area was in December 1999.

But in case of a recurrence, the Environment Agency will be holding a drop-in session to help people learn about the risks of flooding and the measures they can take against it on Monday.

It will take place in Quay Street car park between 2pm and 7pm. Experts will be on hand to give essential information on the agency's flood warning service, latest techniques and practical advice on how to make homes more resilient to flooding.

They will also be able to give information about the flood alleviation scheme.

Nigel Sell from the Environment Agency said: "We can't prevent flooding from happening but people living in flood-risk areas can take steps to help protect themselves as well as their property.

"We want those people who are at risk of flooding to find out what action they should take now and register for our flood warning service."

l The 24-hour Floodline service number is 0845 988 1188, while flood warnings can be viewed at environment-agency.gov.uk