A £25,000 project to improve a habitat for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl has been launched.

Seventeen hectares of wet grassland will be created at Beauchamp Farm, Powick, near Worcester, by upgrading the sluice structure to manage water levels effectively.

Wet woodland measuring 0.82 hectares will also be created by restoring an over-mature willow coppice and a ditch network to make the area more waterlogged.

The Environment Agency, as part of the Severn and Avon Vales Wetlands Partnership, is working on the project in conjunction with Natural England and Beauchamp Farm’s landowner and farmer.

Natural England has contributed TO the project by awarding the farm a ten-year higher level stewardship agreement and providing £10,000 towards the cost of restoring the wet woodland.

Project manager Brian Smith said: “Wetlands are a vital part of our heritage and provide conditions in which many of our native plants, animals and birds can thrive. They can also help us secure our own future by helping to protect us against pollution and the effects of climate change.

“It is only by working together in partnership projects such as this one that we can create a better place for future generations of wildlife and humans.”

The project contributes to Worcestershire’s biodiversity action plan habitat objectives for the creation of wet woodland and grazing marsh for birds including lapwing, curlew and snipe.

It is expected to be completed by March.