Work to install flood defences in 66 properties in Bolton-on-Dearne has started.

Properties on Riverside Gardens, Mill Race Drive, Fox Covert Close, Lowfield Road and Meadowgates are set to benefit from a £274,000 Environment Agency investment.

It means barriers will be fitted over doors and a different type of airbrick is installed to help prevent water from getting in.

The defences are provided by UK Flood Barriers, who are working with Barnsley Council, as part of its property level flood protection scheme and cost upwards of £500 each.

"Airbricks are often one of the first points of entry for flood water and can allow up to 5,000 litres to enter a property every hour," said UK Flood Barriers' managing director Sarah Vaughan.

"The Flood Angel anti-flood airbrick is passive, so in flood conditions the strength of the flood water alone closes an internal flap in the airbrick, preventing any water entering the property.

"In addition, to protect flood water from entering through low windows and doors, the door barrier provides maximum strength and durability, both of these defences carry the BSI Kitemark standard."

In the devastating floods of June and July in 2007 the River Dearne burst its banks after heavy rainfall.

Coun Ralph Sixsmith has praised the work. He said: "We applaud them for helping out because the floods did a lot of damage.

"The water was a metre up the walls in some houses and there was loads of damage done to electrics, plaster, floors and wooden beams.

"It will help a lot of people out because the insurance costs are so high in risk areas."