Contracts of up to £275 million are on offer as contractors are sought for the River Thames flood alleviation scheme in Surrey, which will see Teddington Lock get an upgrade.

The Environment Agency is calling for interested civil engineering and construction firms to express their interest following the government's approval of the £501 million scheme.

Small and medium sized businesses in the county are also being encouraged to apply.

"We're really hoping to see the best of the construction industry come forward for this opportunity – and not just the large firms, but SMEs and local firms too," said River Thames Scheme project director David Bedlington.

"There is a real momentum building on the River Thames scheme as we start the important task of getting firms in place to get the scheme built."

Engineers are already working on the detailed design and planning how to deliver it.

A new flood channel will be built in two sections, Egham Hythe to Chertsey and Laleham to Shepperton, with capacity increases made at Sunbury, Molesey and Teddington weirs and the Desborough Cut.

Work will also involve demolishing houses to make way for the Runnymede channel, building new road and pedestrian bridges and landscaping new parks and wildlife habitats.

Surrey councillor Marisa Heath, cabinet member for the environment, said: "When we talk about the brilliant legacy the River Thames Scheme will leave, we're not only talking about the flood risk reduction and new green spaces such as country parks, we're talking about a legacy of opportunity too, as the construction of the River Thames Schemes will see new jobs, training and skills."

Construction is expected to begin in the mid 2020s and take around four years.

Find out how to express an interest here.

For more on the River Thames scheme click HERE