Struggling wildlife species are set for a major boost following the completion of a new wetland habitat.

The wetland, next to Holden Beck near Bolton-by-Bowland in the Ribble Valley, has been developed by the Ribble Rivers Trust as part of its Room for Rivers programme.

The new wetland covers more than 800 square metres of land and contains 1.1 million litres of wetland.

It has been expertly designed to support a number of species suffering declining numbers, and to reduce pressure on local waterways.

It features sloped sides to make entry and exit easier for wildlife, is of a variety of depths to cater for several types of animal and plans, plus islands which will attract wading birds.

It is also plastic-free, utilising clay to make it watertight rather than a plastic sheet liner, and the area around the wetland is being allowed to naturally re-wild, rather than having specialist native plants installed, which will help the trust observe which species colonise the wetland.

The Ribble Rivers Trust said: "Permanent wetlands are increasingly rare across the UK, largely due to land reclamation for agriculture and development.

"Yet, they are essential to our natural landscape, playing a crucial role in sustaining diverse ecosystems.

"The newly established Holden Wetlands will serve as a sanctuary for insects, amphibians, birds, and potentially mammals, offering a much-needed refuge for wildlife in the region.

"Beyond its ecological importance, the Holden Wetlands also bring significant Natural Flood Management (NFM) benefits.

"Holden Beck is a critical habitat for rare and endangered species such as Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and European eels.

"However, heavy rains and flash floods currently threaten these species, particularly during their juvenile stages, with rapidly raising river levels washing away young fish.

"The introduction of this wetland will help mitigate these risks by capturing and slowly releasing excess water, thereby reducing flood peaks and creating a safer environment for vulnerable aquatic life.

"Furthermore, the NFM benefits extend to the local community, including residents of Holden, Bolton by Bowland, and Sawley, offering a nature-based solution to flood management in areas where traditional flood defences are not feasible."

The work was completed alongside Ben Scott Contracting and was funded by the Species Survival Fund from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.