A BIRD of prey is to be given a helping hand to breed as part of a bid to reintroduce it into Britain.

Sightings of ospreys at Trimpley Reservoir have prompted Severn Trent Water, electricity firm Aquila Networks and the Wildlife Trust into launching a project to encourage them to settle at the site.

One of the Wildlife Trust's spare osprey nesting platforms has been transported from Shrewsbury to a treetop at the reservoir.

Tree contractors have pruned the branches to make way for the platform and Aquila has provided the nest and steel supports.

Phil Rudlin, of Forest Enterprise, formerly the Forestry Commission, then built the nest.

Severn Trent Water conservation spokesman Andy Warren said: "We already know ospreys use the site as a regular feeding ground - the first ones are due back here towards the end of the month.

"The next step is to encourage them to actually stay on the site and hopefully breed. This is where the nesting platform comes in. It's an exciting project to be involved in and one we hope will bring ultimate success."