AN INNOVATIVE scheme providing high-tech protection for boaters along the River Avon is proving popular with wildlife enthusiasts as well.

The Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) – a charity maintaining and preserving the waterways – has been running live cameras along the river for a number of years and recently increased the number it operated to 11.

Although the cameras - which can be accessed online here – were initially intended for river users to check conditions before setting out, they have also proved popular with people interested in getting a glimpse of life on the water as well as residents concerned about flooding.

The trust now runs two cameras at Evesham as well as at Tewkesbury, Avon Lock, Strensham, Eckington, Wyre Piddle, Offenham, Bidford on Avon, Welford on Avon and Stratford Upon Avon, with the most watched averaging 100,000 unique visits a year.

The scheme – dubbed River Watch – was set up by West Country-based photographer and avid fisherman Glyn Howells, who put up the first camera in 2008.

ANT general manager Clive Matthews said he was “addicted” to the scheme.

“Just after I joined ANT someone called up to ask whether the river was in flood, and we had to look out of the window and phone contact downstream to find out,” he said.

“That’s when I thought of cameras.

“Now we have a full picture, literally, and all the statistics we need to give advice.

“We can react quickly at any time if we see problems or people in trouble.”

The cameras are accessible for free although there is also a paid-for service which removes adverts and provides ANT with some income.