WORK is under way to restore vital parts of the Cheshire environment, after the Environment Agency secured £160,000 of funding.

Working with a number of partners, including Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Warrington Borough Council and United Utilities, funding will be used to improve wetland ecosystems in the area – as well as in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

Designs are being put in place to improve peatlands, which prevent high levels of CO² entering the atmosphere, reducing the risk of major flooding and creating habitats for vulnerable wildlife.

Risley Moss will benefit to the tune of £20,000 while Holcroft Moss near Glazebrook has been awarded £46,000.

Thérèse Coffey, environment minister, said: "Well-maintained peatlands are an iconic aspect of the English landscape and are a vital part of the natural ecosystem.

"They provide key habitats for wildlife, supply us with clean water and reduce carbon emissions.

"This scheme will help fulfil our ambition to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state while returning thousands of hectares of peatland to their natural state."

Peatlands provide 70 per cent of drinking water and reduce greenhouse gases by locking away at least 3.2 billion tonnes of CO² in England.

There are six projects across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire that have secured funding, thanks to the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with further projects taking place around the country.

It is hoped the scheme will keep water on the affected sites, and encourage the growth of bog-plant species for the future.

Lisa Whelan, environment programme manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Peatlands are a fantastic resource and these restoration projects have multiple benefits to the environment.

"Work at the sites will include creating fire breaks and peat bunds, introduce new plant species, block ditches along with further initiatives to restore the peatlands.

"Some projects will also serve as study sites for trials of innovative new restoration techniques. As well as having a huge environmental benefit such as reducing greenhouse gases it will enhance habitats for wildlife."