WORCESTERSHIRE Wildlife Trust has scooped an award in an inaugural competition run by the River Restoration Centre and the Environment Agency.

The county-based conservation charity beat many other projects to win in the Value for Money Project category and is now one of four finalists competing for the national England River Prize.

The awards aim to highlight the importance of a catchment based approach to river restoration and protection.

Over the last three years, the trust has been working with landowners along the length of the Bow Brook to deliver a series of projects to improve the water quality and provide better habitats for wildlife.

The project worked with landowners in Foxlydiate, Feckenham, Huddington, Peopleton and Drakes Broughton in the Bow Brook catchment.

Peter Case, Water and Wetlands Officer for the Trust, said: “The project has been really successful and has been beneficial for both wildlife and people.

"We’re absolutely delighted to have won the Value for Money Project category in these new awards and are looking forward with anticipation to the announcement of the overall winning project in early May.”

The overall winner of the England River Prize will be announced on May 7 at the evening dinner of the River Restoration Centre’s annual conference in Sheffield.

The awards attracted an exceptional and diverse group of restoration schemes from across England, demonstrating how much rivers mean to local people.

“There is always more work that can be done and the overall winners of the England River Prize will receive prize money to help further restore their waterways back to health for local communities, wildlife and the environment," added Mr Case.

“The winner will also be provided with support to apply for the International River Foundation European River Prize next year. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

For more information about the Bow Brook project, visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk//water-wetlands/bow-brook-project.