EXCITED groups have been visiting The Diglis Fish Pass today to commemorate the return of an endangered fish to the River Severn.
The Unlocking the Severn team is holding a drop-in day for people to visit the Diglis Fish Pass today (Monday, May 1) to celebrate the 'Severn Shad Run’.
The event commemorates the return of the endangered twaite shad to the River Severn, which migrates into freshwater.
READ MORE: Two arrested for travelling across Worcestershire in stolen car
Mike Ruston, an attendee of today's drop-in sessions, said: "We have walked past over the years as they have been building this and we have always wanted to go.
"The bank holiday was the perfect opportunity to come down, visit and hopefully see some fish."
Attendees are welcomed at the site by volunteers, who tell them about the project and allow them to see the fish pass from above.
Guests are then able to go down underneath the water to watch a short film and see through the underwater viewing window.
Cllr Tom Piotrowski also visited the event today and said how important the project has been for the fish in the River Severn.
He said: "It is brilliant for attracting tourists but it has been so important for the fish migration.
"I was speaking to a volunteer this morning and I was told that the first month after opening the Fish Pass, there were 25 different species spotted.
"I am really happy to be here and I am hoping I am able to see a few fish myself."
Two large chub (Squalius Cephalus) and a dace greeted attendees during the early tours this morning.
Corrine Spiller, social media executive for Unlocking the Severn, said: "May 1 is a really important day for the project.
"The time the twaite shad come back to the river is around now. We also have lots of other migrating fish starting to come through the river as well.
"These drop-in sessions are a great opportunity to come down and visit the Fish Pass but for more information about future events, you can visit the Unlocking the Severn website."
READ MORE: Diglis Fish Pass free open day for people to enjoy
Unlocking the Severn is a conservation and river engagement project being delivered by Canal & River Trust, with partners Severn Rivers Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England.
This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Union LIFE programme.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here