ENGINEERS from East Lancashire are set to embark on a £160,000 reservoir improvements programme on behalf of United Utilties.

Workers from Hapton-based Hardy Services have begun the five-site project at Wayoh Reservoir in Edgworth on behalf of the water giant.

Work at the Edgworth site includes cleaning the spillway, leading to the reservoir, removing vegetation and jet-washing ageing stonework, before grouting the original stone setts using specialist equipment..

Andrew Baron, a senior manager at United Utilities, said: "This is something we hold in the highest regard.

"By clearing and pressure-pointing the overflow channels, the reservoirs will be fit to tackle the challenges we all face from an every-changing climate, in particular flash floods.

"It will also dramatically improve the aesthetics of the reservoirs."

The Kestrel Court crew is expected to be finished at Wayoh by Christmas, with a second team already having started similar work at Quarry Hill reservoir in Cumbria.

Engineers are then set to move on to Borran's Reservoir, near Windermere, and Horlock and Pennington reservoirs, near Ulverston.

Paul Hardy, the Hapton company's managing director, said: "Each project has its own challenges, from reservoir flood contingencies, crayfish, ecological and environmental issues.

"This contract gives us a fantastic base to push forward and grow the business."

The firm has been established more than 35 years and is family-owned, with experience in civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, scaffolding and providing training for constructions and health and safety specialisms.