Thirteen areas of Leicestershire are set to be better protected from floods after a "record" £2.65 billion package of funding was announced for the UK. The county was among the

worst-hit by January's floods, with the Government saying its plans will "protect lives, homes and businesses". The 13 areas, which have not been revealed, are among a series

of projects set to be undertaken by Leicester City Council and Trent Rivers Trust to reduce flood risk for homes around Leicestershire. Last month, more than 630 homes were left underwater

due to the far-reaching devastation. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said its £2.65 billion investment over the next two years would see 52,000 properties

sustainable drainage at schools as well as tree planting and the creation of new wetlands to link up flood plains and store flood water in the county. Further details on the projects are

expected shortly. The £2.6bn announcement comes after funding reached just over £1 billion a year over the past few years, and as the UK faces more extreme weather driven by climate change,

which is allowing the atmosphere to hold more moisture as global average temperatures rise. That has effects that include more powerful storms, heavier rainfall and, as a result, worse

floods. Damaging winter storms in the past two years have caused widespread flooding of properties, roads, railways and farmland. Leicestershire was among the worst-hit areas in the storms

at the beginning of January. The city council has welcomed the new funding, adding that the Storm Henk floods in January of last year were the worst seen in Leicester and were a result of

climate change. A council spokesperson said: “The flooding from Storm Henk – which affected properties in Beaumanor Road area and Aylestone Village - has now been investigated. “River levels

during Storm Henk and the more recent flooding this January were the highest ever recorded locally and are a result of climate change. Over the last decade, in collaboration with the

Environment Agency, we have seen over £7 million invested in flood management schemes along the River Soar in Leicester. Without this investment, many more homes would have been flooded. “It

is encouraging that our successful approach to natural flood management measures is continuing to be supported. Further investment would enable more properties to be protected.” The

Environment Agency has also confirmed that around the country 34 cheaper “natural flood management” projects – which use nature and habitats to slow the flow of water and reduce flooding –

will go ahead. Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: “The impact of flooding on our communities will only become greater as climate change brings more extreme weather, like Storms

Bert, Conall and Eowyn. With this new funding, we will work closely with the Government to deliver the vital projects that are needed across the country, ensuring our investment goes to

those communities who need it the most.” Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “The storms this winter have devastated lives and livelihoods. The role of any government is to protect its

citizens. Under our Plan for Change, we are investing a record £2.65 billion to build and maintain flood defences to protect lives, homes and businesses from the dangers of flooding.” Up to

1,000 projects will get a slice of the new funding, including £43 million for the Bridgewater tidal barrier flood defence scheme in Somerset, £35 million to protect Derby from flooding, £2

million for communities in Bewdley, West Midlands, and an additional £3.4 million for the Pool Bridge to Hunger Hill defences in Dorset. Schemes to help properties be more resilient to

flooding across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will receive £2.5 million.