A MAJOR tree-planting scheme across the South Pennines – including Keighley and the Worth Valley – aims to help reduce flood risks.

The initiative will see 350 hectares of native woodland, equating to around 300,000 trees, planted.

So far, about 72,000 saplings – including species such as oak, rowan, birch and hawthorn – have been provided.

The planting is being supported by the White Rose Forest, through its Government-financed Trees for Climate programme.

A spokesperson says: "These trees will reduce flood risk, as canopies intercept rainfall, reducing the amount of water that reaches the ground. And root systems promote higher soil infiltration rates, allowing water to be absorbed into the ground more quickly."

The venture forms part of Landscapes for Water, a joint project spearheaded by the National Trust and Yorkshire Water, which is also carrying out peatland restoration and implementing various natural flood management measures.

Over several years, it aims to deliver schemes throughout the South Pennines to protect habitats and wildlife, repair damage to moorland and reduce flood risks for communities downstream.

Currently, 'leaky dams' are being installed.

The move entails partially blocking the water flow through moorland ditches and channels. By gradually releasing water slowly over a longer period, the potential of flooding downstream is mitigated.

It's planned to install 3,500 such dams across five main areas of the South Pennines, in the next four years.

Landscapes for Water project lead, Jess Yorke, says: "Natural flood management methods like leaky dams have been shown to significantly 'slow the flow' and make a real difference to the amount of storm water that descends from uplands into the valleys.

"The dams will be installed across our project areas, where they can make a difference to many towns and villages downstream."

Carol Prenton, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water, says: "It’s key to integrate flood resilience into our wider land management strategy, and we’re pleased to have started installation of the leaky dams as part of the Landscapes for Water partnership. Alongside managing the flow of water, the dams can provide a home for wildlife and help our moorlands thrive."

The initiative is also welcomed by West Yorkshire mayor, Tracy Brabin, who has contributed funding.

She says: "As climate change worsens it’s vital we build a greener region. We want West Yorkshire to be more resilient to flooding so we can avoid a repeat of the devastating 2015 Boxing Day floods."