Around 300 tonnes of stone will be airlifted across Darwen moor this week as part of a major peatland restoration project.

The stone will be used to create leaky dams in grips and gullies, with the objective being to slow the flow of water off the moor, reducing the risk of local flooding and helping to prevent wildfires.

The heavy materials are being airlifted from Lords Hall to various locations on the moor by helicopter from today (Wednesday October 25) until Friday (October 27).

James Readfern, head warden for the moor, said: “This is part of a long-term restoration plan for the moor, bringing the land back to its natural state, helping to reduce flooding further downstream, replanting some of our unique misses and other plants.

“Do stop us and ask the team for more information when you see us working up there.”

A major conservation project on the northern section of the moor is already being carried out on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, but these new works form part of a significant additional project on The Lords Hall Estate land initially, which will eventually extend south onto United Utilities land and then subsequently onto the northern common.

Mr Readfern added: “Visitors to the moors will already see much evidence of our work.

“There are wooden dams alongside the track up from Duckshaw with beautiful new ponds breathing life back into the moor, with a resurgence of wildlife around them.

“There are also restored benches and fingerposts, fencing, drystone walling repairs and much more.”

Onlookers will be able to see the helicopters as they take to the skies to deliver the stone on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.