Ruthin residents had been promised a £1m defence scheme to prevent further damage to their homes after the area flooded four times in four years.

The money for this project is sitting in the assembly's bank account awaiting the signatures on the legal documentation

Clwyd West AM, Alun Pugh

However, fears have been raised the project could be delayed and Clwyd West AM Alun Pugh said people are becoming annoyed.

The local authority needs to put up part of the drainage system on local landowners property but talks have apparently taken longer than anticipated.

Mr Pugh said negotiations have not yet reached a point where a construction contract can be put to tender.

"The money for this project is sitting in the assembly's bank account awaiting the signatures on the legal documentation," he said.

Residents worried

"The project is desperately needed to remove the very real fear of flooding from the town.

"I have met constituents who are sick with worry that their homes will be hit again this winter.

"If work doesn't start before Christmas there will be an explosion of anger in the town."

In the past severe flooding has affected residential and commercial properties around the Mwrog Street and Borthyn areas of the town.

Fears of another deluge have heightened following torrential rain throughout north Wales over the weekend.

The culvert is prone to flooding

BBC Wales' weatherman Derek Brockway said there is worse to come.

"There will be more rain this week, although it will be warmer.

"The weather has turned much more unsettled now," he said.

On Monday, a spokesman for Denbighshire council said they had not received any calls from people concerned about the possibility of flooding.

He also confirmed that the authority would continue with the flood defence scheme.

"Denbighshire County Council is committed to starting the work on the flood alleviation scheme at the earliest opportunity and is currently finalising some issues before the scheme can move forward," he said.

Favourable response

The problem will be tackled by diverting water away from houses in Ruthin which were last flooded in October 2001.

Since 1998 there have been a number of separate flooding incidents resulting from problems with a culvert which runs from Mwrog Street to the River Clwyd.

Under the new project a brook which runs under the street and along farmland to Denbigh Road will be re-directed to join the River Clwyd.

The water will then be carried away from the town.

Councillors carried out a consultation last year over the plans and more than 90% of the public were in favour of the initiative.