A WORCESTERSHIRE river has been named as one of the most improved in the country by the Environment Agency.

River Stour made the top ten list of waterways that had shrugged off their industrial past to become havens for wildlife, walkers and anglers once again.

Environment chiefs have urged people to take a walk along the river to see the regeneration for themselves.

The transformation has been achieved thanks to thousands of habitat improvement projects, tighter regulation of polluting industries and work with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

River habitats have also benefited from reductions in the volume of water taken by water companies, farmers and industry.

The Environment Agency has reviewed thousands of abstraction licences and is amending those that were causing environmental damage.