UK floods: Dredging begins on Somerset Levels

Dredging work has begun on the River Parrett after floods which left nearly 30,000 acres of the Somerset Levels under water.

Five miles (8km) of the rivers Parrett and Tone are to be dredged as part of the Environment Agency's 20-year Flood Action Plan, which also recommends a tidal barrage and extra pumping sites.

The agency's Craig Woolhouse described the dredging as "a shot in the arm" for the area, but warned that it was only the start of the work that was required.

John Maguire reports from Burrowbridge.