WORK is under way in preparation for essential refurbishments at a reservoir in a Pendle village.

British Waterways is currently lowering the water level at Lower Foulridge Reservoir, next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, near Colne, to allow vital improvement and maintenance works to be undertaken later this summer.

As a result of the work, large areas of deep mud will become exposed, which can be hazardous, especially to children and animals.

British Waterways is advising people to keep to the designated footpath during the refurbishment and not to walk on the exposed reservoir bed.

The refurbishment works are due to start on Monday, June 29, and they are expected to last for five months.

They will include the replacement of valves, pipework, repairs to the spillway weir and channel and provision of additional embankment protection.

The works, which are estimated to cost around £1.1 million, are being carried out by British Waterways contractors May Gurney.