Plans for a £1.5 million project to restore the River Keekle near Whitehaven to its natural state will go on display at a public event.

The river near Moresby Parks was lined with plastic in the 1990s amid fears that possible future erosion could expose deeply-buried mine waste underneath.

Now that plastic is breaking up and pieces being washed downstream, creating blockages, localised flooding and plastic pollution.

Meanwhile, water quality testing has repeatedly demonstrated there is no contamination from the buried waste and that the creation of a naturalised river will ensure a healthy habitat is secured for generations to come.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust has secured a total of more than £1.5 million to remove the plastic and restore the riverbed with natural materials. As a starting point this summer, the Keswick-based charity will test different methods of removing the plastic at a trial site, funded by £175,000 from the Environment Agency’s River Restoration Programme.

The trust then plans to fully remove the plastic along a 2.2km stretch and restore the riverbed in 2020, in a project awarded more than £1.3 million by DEFRA’s Water Environment Grant.

Luke Bryant, assistant director of of trust, said: “As well as being an eyesore, the degradation of the plastic liner in the Keekle is causing serious problems for both local residents, anglers and the river’s wildlife. We’re really excited about this project as it will bring significant environmental benefits, and we want to thank our funders for their support.”

The public are invited to find out more and see the project plans at a drop-in event at Walkmill Car Park, near Moresby Parks on Saturday, May 11, 10am to noon. Historic information about the site will be on display and there will be children’s activities. A guided riverside walk and talk about the plans will depart from the car park at 10.30am.