SCHOOLS across the city are to have flood defences built to protect them from future downpours.

Eight primary schools are set to benefit initially from part of a £6.3m investment, as well as all secondary schools.

If granted planning permission, the primary schools will each have a waterproof wall constructed around the base of the building as well as flood gates installed.

The measures are to protect the buildings in some of the worst-hit schools of the June 2007 floods.

They will also act as emergency evacuation centres for the community if the city ends up flooded again.

Judith Harwood, head of learning leisure and achievement at Hull City Council, said: "We needed to secure the buildings to prevent flooding in the future and we managed to get some extra cash from the Government to do the preventative work.

"Under Building Schools For The Future, every secondary school will have an appropriate flood defence. With the primary schools, we are targeting those believed to be at risk."

Each primary school targeted will be assessed as to how best to keep the water out.

For many it will mean the construction of a waterproof wall, no higher than 4ft, around the base of the building, coupled with flood gates at the entrances to the school.

Other schools may have underwater tanks incorporated into them in which the flood waters will flow, such as those already at Cleeve Primary School in Bransholme, which was virtually unaffected in 2007.

Ms Harwood said: "The principle is that the engineer will determine the best flood defence system."

The eight initial primary schools were some of the worst hit in 2007.

One of those was St James Primary in Dorchester Road, Bransholme.

They lost virtually everything and for the last month of the summer term pupils were taught in two separate locations across the city.

Jane Daniels, who began as headteacher in September 2007, said: "We welcome any measures that will help prevent a repeat of the devastation caused in 2007."

Professor Tom Coulthard, chairman of the Independent Review Body set up to examine the causes of the flooding in the city, said the move was a "win-win" situation.

He said: "Hopefully this sort of flood won't happen again, but it is important we are prepared."

The schools hoping to be protected include Bude Primary, Westcott Primary, Thorpepark Primary, St James Primary, Stockwell Primary, Sutton Park in Marsdale and Wansbeck Primary.