Five hundred native broadleaf trees have been planted at Crowndale Sewage Treatment Works near Tavistock as part of a river improvement project.

The Westcountry Rivers Trust planted the trees at the end of March as part of its Catchment Partnership Action fund aimed at improving water quality in the River Tavy and its tributaries the Lumburn and the Walkham.

Project manager David Chapman from the WRT said:

"These rivers are struggling to meet environmental standards for phosphate and fish populations. Research shows that tree planting can significantly help water quality. Trees not only filter air and increase biodiversity but they also help regulate rainfall and surface water flows and can potentially capture phosphate.”

David Smith, from South West Water, who manages the water company's catchment management programme, added:

"This woodland makes a fantastic addition to the mosaic of grassland and scrub habitats that already exist in the area and will contribute to improving water quality in the catchment."