A protest walk is be held on Sunday by campaigners opposed to plans to build a barrage across the River Ribble as part of the proposed new central park development.

Members of the Save The Ribble campaign group will also launch a website on Sunday to showcase their views and plan to email a link to the site to every councillor in Lancashire.

The walk will take place by the river near Leyland Road, Penwortham, in protest against the £800m Riverworks project spearheaded by Preston City Council.

The group fear the barrage, which would act as a type of dam, would starve the river of vital silt and that wildlife would be affected by plans for a £350m central park on the site of a nature reserve.

The Riverworks project, to be located on the south side of the river, opposite Avenham and Miller parks, includes plans for up to 4,000 new homes, a promenade, shops, offices and re-instating a section of the Lancaster Canal.

Save The Ribble spokesman Jane Brunning, said: "People in the area haven't been consulted.

"The website will give everyone the chance to have their say.

"The nature reserve is a protected area and is used by a quarter of a million migratory birds in winter and this may be destroyed.

"Many residents are also concerned about the increased flood risk the barrage and building developments will bring to areas already at high risk of flooding, and the loss of our local green belt and community amenities."

Mrs Brunning added that numerous fish species populate the River Ribble, including the Atlantic Salmon which is the tenth most threatened species in Europe.

Mike Brogan, Preston City Council assistant director for city projects, said: "The area around the river has enormous potential and could offer so much more to the city, like the creation of a new central park area.

"But we are only in the early stages and are still looking at the feasibility of Riverworks.

"Clearly, the local environment is a major factor and this will be considered as part of the feasibility study."