HELICOPTERS will be coming to the rescue of the moors above Burnley.

They will be used to spread seed and fertiliser over Worsthorne Moor to restore around 44 hectares of patchy blanket peatland.

United Utilities has joined forces with Natural England and the tenant farmer as part of a project to improve water quality and wildlife habitats.

Workers will re-profile gullies before stabilising the peat, using methods such as installing geo jute, a lightweight net designed to prevent erosion.

As well as using the helicopter to distribute seed and fertiliser, they will be spreading heather brash.

Sustainability manager Gaynor Murphy said: "The things we do today must be balanced with trying to make a positive contribution to tomorrow.

“We do this by conserving natural resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, supporting the communities we serve and maintaining economic growth.

“Achieving this balance allows us to deliver lasting benefits to local communities."

Some of the water company’s other projects have included new ways of recycling waste and cutting carbon emissions, sending gangs of staff volunteers to help clean beaches and restore habitats, and making some of the area’s most picturesque more accessible.

It is investing £3.6bn across the North West to improve water quality and the environment by 2015, and recently signed the latest instalment of a £400m loan from the European Investment Bank to help make water and sewage systems better able to cope with climate change and the needs of a growing population.

Economics experts estimate that the company's five-year programme of work will support more than 9,000 local jobs and contribute some £7bn to the regional economy.