Yorkshire Water has unveiled plans to reduce the risk of flooding in the Calder Valley.

The Natural Flood Management strategy sets out a number of initiatives to alleviate flooding, including tree planting, reinstating peatland and other environmental enhancements.

Over the next couple of years, up to 200,000 trees could be planted on species-poor grassland which will help slow down the rush of rain water to vulnerable locations.

Other measures include:

• An additional 43 hectares of blanket bog will be improved by restoring peatland with sphagnum moss, which absorbs and slows down rain water runoff to act as a natural flood barrier

• Installing leaky dams on some of the smaller watercourses, which prevent soil and silt escaping and allow water to escape at a slower rate and moderate the flow of water downstream

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• Fascines, bundles of wood, will be used to strengthen river banks to reduce the risk of soil erosion.

• The creation of a patchwork of wetland areas

Granville Davies, Manager of Asset Strategy for Yorkshire Water said; "The flooding at Christmas 2015 had a devastating impact on communities in the Calder Valley and we fully recognise the responsibility for all agencies involved in flood management to work together to devise innovative solutions to reduce the risk of flooding.

"In addition to contributing to the Calderdale Flood Action Plan we're leading Calderdale's Natural Flood Management Group and working with partners, like the White Rose Forest, to look for innovative ways that we can use our land to slow the flow of water in the upper catchments, evaluating the best places for us to plant trees and build leaky dams, and engaging with other land owners in the area."

Guy Thompson from the White Rose Forest added: "We very much look forward to working with local partners, businesses and the farming community to help design and deliver a resilient and long lasting transformation of this site that will provide not only flood risk benefits but also strengthen ecological networks and create a fantastic place to visit for years to come."

(LM/MH)