Newbury river project gets lottery funds

A wildlife project in Berkshire has received a £220,000 boost after a successful bid for lottery funding.

The River Lambourn Community Project in Newbury offers activities for residents including walks, talks, conservation tasks and wildlife spotting.

Some of the money will pay for school education activities including raising young brown trout for the river.

The project covers an area between London Road bridge and the public open space above Almond Avenue in Shaw.

A total of £380,000 is being invested in the scheme.

The funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was made by West Berkshire District Council.

Council chairman Graham Pask said: "Walking alongside this stretch of river is a revelation. It is a sparkling natural gem running through the heart of a residential and business area.

"Rarely do you find something this special in an urban setting, which makes it an ideal focus for the local community."

The Environment Agency has already carried out conservation work in the area, including restoring riverbank and vegetation, and the creation of gravel riffles - structures that speed up water flow and wash away silt.