Barriers that can make it difficult for fish to feed and breed are being removed from two Cumbrian rivers.

Experts say wildlife will benefit from the decision to break-up weirs on waterways just off Carlisle city centre and near Penrith.

Sheepmount Weir in the city's River Caldew are to be taken out - as will Carleton Hall Weir in the River Eamont at Eamont Bridge.

Weirs alter how rivers behave, creating a pond section upstream of the barrier and changing how gravel moves down the river, adversely affecting wildlife habitats.

Eden Rivers Trust is overseeing the moves.

Joanne Backshall, Eden river restoration manager with the trust, said: "Removing them allows the river to shift and store gravel more appropriately and creates the range of features such as gravel beds and bars, riffles and pools, which river wildlife needs to survive.

"It also enables fish to move freely as water levels fall or rise."

Rivers in the Eden valley contain numerous old weirs.

They were built for historic reasons, such as powering mills, raising river bed levels or redirecting water courses.

Many of these are now redundant and can pose maintenance problems.

The river Eden and its tributaries support a number of fish species, which need to move up and down rivers to feed and breed.

Some fish only migrate a few hundred metres whereas others, such as wild Atlantic salmon and eels, must travel thousands of miles.

Their journeys within rivers can be impeded by man-made barriers such as weirs, culverts, bridges and dams.

All reduce the likelihood of fish being able to move freely to find food, hide from predators and successfully breed.

This threatens the continuing survival of these species.

Oliver Southgate, from the Environment Agency, said: "Delivering projects like these is great news for both people and wildlife."

More "natural" rivers have diverse habitats that support a range of insects, fish and other wildlife.

They are said to function in a more sustainable way and are more resilient to climate change.

Local contractors, Waitings will be carrying out the work at Eamont Bridge and Cubby Construction will be removing the weir at the Sheepmount.

This work forms part of the Cumbria River Restoration Strategy, a project aiming to improve rivers in Cumbria.

This project sits within the Eden catchment and is being led by Eden Rivers Trust.

Partners of the wider project include: the Environment Agency, Natural England, Eden Rivers Trust, West Cumbria Rivers Trust and South Cumbria Rivers Trust.