[ Broadland defences to be unveiled ]

The Environment Agency is preparing to officially unveil an £11m flood defence scheme designed to protect Norfolk's fragile Broadland habitat.

The scheme will help protect about 500 houses and 3,600 hectares (8,895 acres) of land, including a large area of designated Broads.

The agency is due to hold a ceremony at Waxham Great Barn, Waxham, on Friday to mark the completion of the works.

Groynes have been replaced, sea walls bolstered and beaches replenished.

New rock groynes have been built between Horsey and Winterton Ness Gap.

Rocks have also been placed to protect a stretch of seawall from wave action, while the beach between Sea Palling and Poplar Farm Gap has been replenished with sand to further protect the wall.

Dafydd Evans, the Environment Agency's eastern area manager, said: "We have undertaken a great deal of work on this scheme and are committed to protecting this length of coast for at least the next 50 years.

"We have approval to spend a further £10m on this length of coast over the next few years."

The Environment Agency has responsibility for the sea defences along a 14km length of the Norfolk coast from Cart Gap, south of Happisburgh, to Beach Road, Winterton.

Originally published March 3, 2009 - www.bbc.co.uk