A NEW environmental partnership aimed at cleaning up and improving East Lancashire waterways and riverbanks rivers will be officially launched next month with the help of local amateur photographers.

The group REEL (River Enhancement East Lancashire) hopes people will join its awareness campaign by taking part in a photographic competition.

The theme is Life Along the River and organisers are looking for black and white or colour photographs of rivers and streams in Burnley, Pendle and Hyndburn for an exhibition to celebrate REEL's launch in Burnley on June 13.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph columnist and wildlife writer Ron Freethy will officially launch the group in a ceremony at Stoneyholme and Daneshouse Community Centre and then announce the winners of the contest.

REEL is supported by the three local authorities, community groups, North West Water, the Environment Agency and the Mersey Basin Campaign.

REEL chairman Arthur Micklewright said: "All too often rivers and streams are undervalued in every sense.

"REEL's aim in organising the exhibition is to publicise the public's perception of our rivers in order to know how to help change them for the better."

Competition entries are invited from all ages and among the prizes will be a holiday with a difference - a break for two with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers with the chance to learn more about conservation skills as well as the usual sightseeing.

Entries marked with name, age and address and REEL Life Along the River should be sent to Pendle Heritage Centre, Park Hill, Barrowford, Nelson, Lancs BB9 6JQ. Closing date is June 1.

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