A Suffolk landowner is "absolutely delighted" that Sizewell C has provided the final piece of the funding jigsaw for a major flood defence project by contributing £25million.

The Benacre estate, on the heritage coast between Lowestoft and Southwold, has been seeking improved flood defences and now the nuclear power station developer is providing funding towards the overall £59m cost of the Benacre and Kessingland Managed Realignment Scheme.

The initiative seeks to protect dozens of local properties, 600 hectares (ha) of farmland and prevent road closures due to flooding on the A12.

READ MORE: A12 emergency flood defence work being carried out

The estate has been run by the Gooch family since 1746, but its range of habitats, including farmland and heathland, are being threatened by erosion from the North Sea.

Jonathan Mitchell, a spokesperson for the Benacre estate, said: "Needless to say, we are absolutely delighted that Sizewell C has come on board.

"It is going to save the valley and a lot of houses from inundation."

The realignment scheme will include the construction of two new pumping stations, drains and embankments between the A12 and the coast.

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A new 82ha saltmarsh will be created providing a habitat for sea fish, invertebrates, wading birds and other wildlife.

It has been under consideration for more than five years and some preliminary work has already been started, with other funding being provided by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and other organisations.

Suffolk County Council is providing £2m for the project.

READ MORE: Kessingland news

Mr Mitchell said the embankments would help to secure homes from flooding from the sea.

In his column for this newspaper, county councillor Richard Rout, cabinet member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, also welcomed the funding.

He said: "This is great news on so many levels.

"The new defences against flooding will protect the A12, local homes, farmland and give security to the local economy and tourism.

"It will also create hundreds of acres of valuable inter-tidal habitat for wildlife and people to enjoy."

READ MORE: Suffolk news