A COUGHTON man is sharing his knowledge of rivers with students in Redditch and Alcester.

Derek Lippett, 68, has spent four years since he retired as a fisheries management officer for the Environment Agency producing The River Arrow in Decline and Recovery, 1925-2001.

"It is largely a reference book about the decline and recovery of the river, as far as it is known," he said.

"It tells a story in so far as it higlights what condition the River Arrow was in - Redditch has had a big part to play, not only in its decline but in its recovery too."

Mr Lippett has financed publication of the book himself, producing 20 copies, which he plans to put in Redditch, Studley and Alcester libraries as well as Alcester High School, Alcester Grammar School and Studley High School.

"There's plenty of information in there for students, and angling clubs, it's mainly for students and those people who have an interest in that section of the river from Redditch down to Salford Priors," he added.