COMMUNITIES close to the River Keekle and Longlands Lake, Cleator Moor, will be the focus of a project to improve the river and country park.

The three-year People on the Keekle project from West Cumbria Rivers Trust aims to improve habitats on the lower River Keekle by stabilising riverbanks, reducing erosion and giving advice on livestock management.

Improvement works at Longlands Lake will help the community to enhance wildlife habitats near to the lake.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust has received funding from Sellafield Limited for the project.

Over the next three years, Sellafield Limited will invest £229,000 into the project.

The People on the Keekle project is part of the trust’s wider programme of work on the River Keekle and River Ehen, meeting which merge at Longlands Lake.

Gary McKeating, Head of Community Support and Development for Sellafield Ltd, said: “Our social impact approach is about creating shared value and embracing new collaborations, partnerships and relationships.

He said: “We’re delighted to support this project as it embraces the dual objectives of community engagement and environmental restoration, complementing the great work that has already taken place to restore the river.”

Support has also been given by Cumbria County Council, the Environment Agency and Wath Brow Anglers.

Frank Morgan, Cumbria County Councillor for Cleator Moor West said: “I’m pleased to see that work will be done to preserve the natural habitat at Longlands.

“This is a great example of organisations working together to provide a better asset for the community.”