Two flood defence schemes in south Essex have been given a £400,000 cash injection.

The Environment Agency has announced its flood defence budgets for 2007/08 and revealed Canvey and Great Wakering will benefit from the £33million pot, which is £5.2million less than for 2006/7.

Approximately £160,000 will be used to complete an appraisal study, which began in 2006, to protect 400 homes from flooding in Great Wakering.

In addition, a sluice gate is to be replaced and a new pumping station built at Scarhouse Sluice in Thorney Bay, Canvey, at a cost of £275,000.

The existing sluice has deteriorated causing ditches to clog and flood, but Canvey West councillor Ray Howard said that will be prevented by the improvements.

Not all the schemes in the eastern region got funding in the budget, to which county councils are contributing.

Those in Ipswich, Eccles and Jaywick failed to get the money they needed.

Mr Howard, a member of the regional flood defence committee, said: "The sluice at Thorney Bay has not been working properly so this will take care of that.

"We have to realise these are difficult times and some members of the committee were disappointed, but county councils are having to make savings because adult care is taking a lot of their budget. But I am delighted that schemes in South Essex, particularly Scarhouse Sluice, will be carried forward."

Jeff King, manager of nearby Kings Park said: "We haven't had any particular problems, but this will make water clear away that much quicker so it gives us more confidence."

Half of the funding to finalise the Wakering project is expected to come from the Ministry of Defence, which owns land in Foulness and Wakering.

Trevor Goodwin, Conservative Rochford District councillor for Wakering and Foulness, said: "This is good news for the ward. It is something the district council has been trying to do for a long time.

"We have tried to make the Environment Agency understand that we want Great Wakering looked after. We don't want another flood like that in 1953."