A HOUSEHOLDER is set to be denied the Christmas present she most wanted - protection against another devastating flood.

The Environment Agency had hoped new flood defences under construction in Stamford Bridge would be watertight in time for the festive - and flooding - season.

But while the agency is still on schedule with flood banks and walls on the eastern bank of the River Derwent to protect shops and other properties in The Square, the scheme has hit a series of hitches on the other bank.

And that means Jo Barry's home will probably not now be defended until next February. Several other properties nearby will also remain at slight risk.

Furthermore, because the defences on the eastern side would displace any floodwaters, river levels on the other side would be slightly higher than normal - marginally increasing the chances of flooding.

The delay is just the latest in an extraordinary series of twists and turns over flood defences for Mrs Barry. Her property, inundated in 1999 and 2000, was included in the agency's original scheme in 2001. Then it was taken out of the project before being put back in again last year, following protests to the Government.

Mike Dugher, flood defence improvements engineer, said several problems had cropped up unexpectedly that had delayed a start on defences near Mrs Barry's property.

He said one difficulty involved working round a surface water drainage pipe in the area, operated by Yorkshire Water.

Others concerned the Grade II listing of a wall around a river cut and the need to dig into a highway verge. Other difficulties were presented by the very tight space available in which to carry out work.

But Mr Dugher hoped a solution had now been found, and that the problems could all be resolved in the next fortnight, allowing work to start. However, he did not think it would be possible to make the defence there watertight until February.

He said the scheme was progressing well on the other bank and was still in line for completion by Christmas, and stressed that these defences would only cause a slight rise in flood levels on the other bank.

Mrs Barry said: "I am extremely disappointed. Despite repeated assurances they would start and finish this year, it would appear highly unlikely this will happen."

Updated: 11:14 Monday, September 29, 2003