WORK has begun on a £700,000 scheme which aims to tackle the ongoing problem of sewage spills during freak floods and heavy rainfall.

The project will prevent sewage spills into woodland and watercourses in Gisburn, Ribble Valley.

United Utilities is pumping the cash into a scheme to improve sewer overflows and prevent sewage spills into the River Ribble.

The wastewater treatment works at Gisburn will also be upgraded to improve the quality of water returned to the environment.

United Utilities project manager Stuart Charnley said sanitary products and sewage-related litter were overflowing into rivers and streams.

"In times of heavy rainfall, extra water flows through the sewer network and overflows when the sewers become full. This can result in sanitary products and other sewage-related litter getting into rivers and streams. Fishermen and walkers will notice a real difference to the environment when the work is finished."

The wastewater treatment works at Gisburn are to be extended and improved, while stormwater tanks will be built at the site to capture an extra 65,000 litres of water for treatment during heavy rain.

Special screens will be installed at the works to strain out any sewage litter before it can overflow into the river and the sewer running under the Coppice Wood conservation area will be increased in size.

Two manhole covers in the wood will also be sealed to prevent them overflowing during heavy rain and leaving unsightly sewage litter behind.

Stuart Charnley added: "We have avoided any major excavation work in Coppice Wood, because it is designated as ancient woodland, and we are also working closely with English Nature to avoid disturbing any rare species of flora."

Gisburn Parish Council chairman John Falshaw said the problem of overflowing sewers had first come to light during freak floods last year.

"During the floods, the sewers were overflowing and we welcome any scheme aimed at improving the environment in Gisburn," he said.

The work, to be finished next April, forms part of a £3billion programme of water and wastewater improvements by United Utilities across the North West.