ENVIRONMENT Secretary Owen Paterson visited Somerset today (May 30) to see first-hand how dredging on the Levels is progressing.

Dredging of the River Parrett is currently ongoing and Mr Paterson was reassured it is on schedule to finish in October, the Environment Agency said after his visit.

It comes after the Agency announced it was looking at the possibility of some weekend working "as a further contingency," on top of the current Monday to Friday schedule.

So far, diggers have removed around 13,050m³ of silt over a 445-metre length. 

Work to dredge the River Tone was due to start week and the Agency said staff have completed the work package at Moorland House Farm and are on schedule on the Parrett.

Bosses are confident work should be complete by October, barring any "adverse weather."