VOLUNTEERS helped to transform more than two kilometres of riverbank along the Thames.

Restoring lost wetland features and wildlife habitats, Little Wittenham-based charity Earth Trust recruited 10 people to join their River of Life project last Thursday.

Gathering near Shillingford, the team continued with the scheme, which launched last year and aims to save threatened wildlife and improve water quality.

Volunteer John Scarborough, 62, said: “It made me feel good to be involved in it, there were a nice bunch of people and to be outside contributing to wildlife is excellent.”

Oxford Mail:

(FROM LEFT) Dick Mayon-White and John Scarborough at work

Throughout the day, volunteers set about planting reed beds and placing protective fencing to help create habitats for wildlife around the river.

The project, which will be completed within the next five years, has already seen the creation of 17 new ponds, two new reed beds and five backwater channels.

Head of land management at Earth Trust, Chris Parker, said: “Hopefully this will be a nature reserve that people will come to visit in the coming years.

“We want to transform it into something that is truly a wild landscape.”

Dedicated volunteers will continue to tend to the riverbank every Friday.

To get involved, visit earthtrust.org.uk

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