FLOOD defences that protect more than 10,000 homes are to be strengthened through a £235 million defence plan announced by the Scottish Government.

Ministers have drawn up a detailed flood risk management plan which contains strategies and proposals for protection schemes or engineering works planned and a range of other flood alleviation measures.

It comes after extreme weather wreaked havoc over many parts of Scotland, with flooding devastating communities in Aberdeenshire and Dumfries and elsewhere since the turn of the Year.

Torrential rain brought by Storm Frank on Hogmanay inundated the town of Peebles and other areas in the south while the north east the clean-up continues at Inverurie after downpours last week.

The cash boost comes after an extra £12 million in funding to help homeowners and businesses was announced by First Minister Niclola Sturgeon during the weekend.

Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said: "Our plan is designed to improve the way we tackle the risk of flooding across the country - protecting more homes, businesses, communities and livelihoods.

"For the first time, we have a nationwide plan, informed by local communities to tackle flooding.

"This will be at the heart of our efforts to prevent flooding and there is no doubt it will make a lasting contribution to flood risk management in Scotland."

Terry A'Hearn, chief executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), said: "December 2015 was the wettest on record with 50 of our gauging stations recording their highest ever levels.

"The Flood Risk Management strategies have been developed to help reduce the damage which flooding can cause, and are more important than ever given the recent flooding.

"We have been working closely with local authorities to identify the most suitable actions to manage flood risk, and this is targeted towards areas where it will be most effective based on improved knowledge of the sources and impacts of flooding.

"The strategies co-ordinate the efforts of organisations that tackle flooding and concentrate this work to where the risk of flooding and the benefits of investment are greatest."

David Parker, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: "Selkirk has the first major flood protection scheme to be approved under the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act, and the project has already proved its worth in protecting the town during storms Desmond and Frank, despite being only half completed.

"We have seen the devastating impact of flooding across Scotland in recent weeks and the publication of the Flood Risk Management strategies will be a vital tool in helping the country make decisions on how to best protect vulnerable areas."

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "While it's absolutely right to establish a plan to protect households and businesses from flooding, we also need to see increased efforts to reduce the emissions which are changing our climate.

"Last year, each of the main party leaders pledged that their manifestos would be consistent with ensuring Scotland meet its climate change targets. The devastation caused by the recent winter flooding is a timely reminder of why doing so is so vitally important."