Cameras used to monitor North East flood-risk areas

Cameras have been installed in 12 areas, including Chester-le-Street in County Durham

Cameras have been installed to monitor water levels in areas in the North East at risk from winter flooding.

A total of 12 cameras have so far been installed near debris screens at sites including Middlesbrough, Chester-le-Street, Morpeth and Darlington.

The Environment Agency, which installed the cameras, said they would play a "key role" in responding to flooding.

In December a series of severe storms brought damaging floods to many parts of northern England.

The cameras feed real-time images to agency staff manning an incident room in Newcastle.

Many areas of the North East have suffered flooding, including Albert Park in Middlesbrough

An agency spokesman said: "We can now carry out real-time checks, helping us to cut down on unnecessary site visits and make sure we are concentrating on those areas where there's a risk.

"During a flood, every minute counts and we want to make sure that we are where we are needed to help reduce flood risk as quickly as possible."

The cameras have infra-red capability so they can take pictures at night and in some places are camouflaged to prevent vandalism.

Residents in flood-prone areas are also being encouraged to have a plan in place.