A £10 million fund has been released to help restore peatlands across England.

The grant scheme is officially open for bids and funding is available for schemes that restore upland and lowland peatlands, create habitats for vulnerable wildlife, reduce flood risk by slowing rain water flow and fight climate change by increasing carbon capture.

In addition, the money is on top of £4m already allocated from Defra to existing Natural England peatland restoration schemes across the country.

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Bids with the greatest potential for greenhouse gas mitigation and projects that deliver better value for money and maximise environmental benefits will be favoured. The scheme is for capital works and is open to everyone outside central government and their agencies.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: "Peatlands are a vital part of the natural ecosystem that provide key habitats for wildlife, supply us with clean water and reduce carbon emissions, so I encourage groups from across the country to apply for funding to restore this important habitat.

"This scheme will help fulfil our ambition to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state while returning thousands of hectares of peatland to their natural state."

(LM/MH)