A huge area of the Ribble estuary is to be returned to saltmarsh in the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK.
In a joint project between the Environment Agency and the RSPB, the sea wall around part of Hesketh Out Marsh on the estuary was breached on Tuesday (16 September), allowing the area behind it to flood.
The whole area was a natural saltmarsh until the 1980s, when local landowners built flood defences and reclaimed it as farmland.
It is hoped that returning part of the site to its natural state will reduce the risk of flooding to the surrounding area and create a large area - 168 hectares - of important wildlife habitat.
The scheme, which also has the backing of Lancaster City Council and Natural England, will create a highly effective natural flood defence, with the saltmarsh absorbing the energy of the tide as it moves up the estuary.
In addition, the Environment Agency is repairing the original sea defences further inland and will protect farmland on the eastern side of Hesketh Out Marsh with a new sea wall.
John Collins, Environment Agency Area Manager said: 'This project is a fantastic example of how we are working more closely with the natural environment to manage flood risk. By assessing the land and its historical patterns and taking into account how flooding is likely to impact over the coming years, we are able to create effective, sustainable solutions to managing flood risk.'
By allowing the tide to naturally flow through the area, creating muddy creeks and saline lagoons, the project creates habitat for breeding waders, wildfowl, invertebrates and fish.
When the flood improvement work is complete, the RSPB will take over the management of the land.
Laurence Rose, the RSPB’s Regional Director, said: 'The Ribble is one of the most important estuaries in the UK for birds. This inspirational project promises to further enhance that importance by providing a fantastic area of new saltmarsh.
'This will offer a place to breed for wading birds such as lapwing, redshank, avocet and oystercatcher, while acting as a vital wintering ground for species like pink-footed geese, whooper swans, wigeons, teals and golden plovers.
'We are very grateful for the work carried out by the Environment Agency to help us create what will be a wonderful, wet and wild landscape.'