RESTORATION of a popular section of Luckington Brook has taken place to help develop an important eco-system.

Sherston residents have been working with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) this year on an exciting project to restore part of the brook close to the village.

The river supports small population of fish such as brown trout and bullhead. However, overwidening of the river has led to low flows, particularly during summer, which are insufficient to deal withthe sediment deposited after storms.

This has resulted in riverbed gravels being smothered, conditions unfavourable to invertebrates and spawning trout.

Harriet Alvis, Project Officer at Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, said: “This project has been a fantastic example of how local residents can take community ownership to improve their rivers for the benefit of people and wildlife.

“We are grateful to everyone who has come out to help on our volunteer days.”

As well as working to improve river flow conditions, the SHRIMP (SHerston River IMProvement) Project involved wildflower planting, riverside path clearance and woodland coppicing, thanks to funding grants from Wessex Water, People’s Postcode Trust, Cotswolds Visitor Giving Fund and local community donations.

“[These are] great signs and hopefully populations that will continue to flourish as a result of our works,” continued Harriet.

“While out on the river we were lucky enough to spot trout, stickleback, herons, egrets, grey wagtails, a kingfisher, buzzards and a hobby.”

BART have longer term plans to extend their work along the river, including running habitat enhancement workshops to teach people how to restore their own stretch of river.

A further 500m2 of wildflower meadow seeds have also been donated by Prince Charles, to add to the existing 400m2 of meadow that has been planted this summer.

BART will be hosting an evening of free talks in Sherston Village Hall on Thursday, November 12, at 7.30pm.

Local otter enthusiast Tony House will be discussing wildlife in the area and the audience will get the chance to discuss any improvements they would like to see with their river environments into the future.