Survey starts today to check on wildlife along the riverside

The survey, by the Our Rivers campaign, aims to collect information about the wildlife and species people have seen in their area.

Jack Clarke, from the campaign, said: “Many of us have a river close to our homes where we love to walk, fish or simply sit and reflect and we’re hoping we can encourage this national army of river wildlife spotters to tell us what they have seen.

“We’re really looking forward to hearing which species people have seen in their area, but we are also asking what has changed and been lost. As well as encouraging people to enjoy their local river wildlife there is also a serious, and worrying, message behind this.”

He said river wildlife is under threat by rural and urban pollution, over-abstraction, sewage discharges and invasive species.

An Environment Agency report last year showed that 72 per cent of rivers in England and Wales are failing European Environmental targets, he said.

Mr Clarke added: “We need to raise awareness of these issues and put pressure on the Government to do something about them ahead of the publication of the upcoming Water White Paper.

“This document will set out how our Government cares for our river network and the wildlife that depends on it.”

TV celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is supporting the survey.

To take part log on to www.ourrivers.org.uk.