LARGE structures made from locally-sourced tree trunks will be installed along the Dowles Brook in Wyre Forest in an effort to reduce flooding.

Nine of the wooden barriers have already been installed along the Beesmoor Brook at Charlton Abbotts, and seven in the Merry Brook in Wychavon, as part of the Worcestershire Natural Flood Management Project.

Dowles Brook in Wyre Forest is one of five catchments set to benefit from the next phase of the scheme, alongside Barbourne Brook in Worcester, Badsey Brook, Merry Brook and the River Isbourne.

The structures are meant to reduce flooding in communities, develop wetland areas for biodiversity and habitat formation, and increase water quality.

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member for environment at Worcestershire County Council, said: "The Natural Flood Management project is a great way for us to reduce the effect on flooding in local areas.

"The work has been completed on Beesmoor Brook, Charlton Abbotts and Merry Brook, Charlton so far and we have a number of installations still to complete around the county.”

The project has received £500,000 from DEFRA for completion by March 2021. The work at Dowles Brook is set to start this summer.