NEARLY £34 million is to be spent on flood defences in the North-west over the next two years.

Most of the money will come from the Government, but £2.6 million will be raised by a levy on North-west council tax payers.

The cash will be spent on improving and maintaining flood defences in an bid to protect more than 105,000 properties which are at risk from flooding.

Schemes include the River Irwell at Salford, and the River Mersey and Cringle Brook in South Manchester.

It will also help fund the flood warning service, which alerts households and businesses in high risk areas when flooding is expected.