LOCAL people have been working together to help restore an ancient stream through Winchester.

Forty people joined the Environment Agency to work on Nuns Stream in Hyde.

The workers included youngsters from Stanmore and Winnall, Winchester College, the mayor Dominic Hiscock and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Martin Tod.

The section improved runs alongside Saxon Road from Monks Road to King Alfred's Place.

The community project has turned a near-derelict stream into a healthier river through creating a natural bank and adding gravel to the waterway to provide a cleaner flow and spawning grounds for fish.

Over 18 tonnes of gravel were used along with two tonnes of soil, 25 hazel faggots, 100 chestnut posts and 75 metres of matting.

In the Spring 300 plants will be planted to further enhance the surrounding area of the stream and to attract dragonflies and other river wildlife.

Lawrence Talks, regional fisheries specialist for the agency, who lives in Hyde, said: "This has been a tremendous effort by many people to enhance one of Hampshire's neglected urban 'Cinderella' chalk rivers.

"This is a great example of a partnership project, which has been led by the Environment Agency working with the local community, Hyde900, the city council, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Wild Trout Trust.

"The work will make the stream a more interesting and attractive feature of daily life in Hyde, providing a better quality of life for the community and also for the wildlife that will now thrive within it."

Volunteer Kate Rogers said, "I really enjoyed having the opportunity to take part in such a worthwhile project to improve our local river. I am keen to get involved in other volunteer projects in the area so that I can help protect my local environment."

Hyde900 is a community-led project that aims to celebrate the history, environment, people and richness of Hyde 900 years since the burial of King Alfred's bones in Hyde Abbey.