A NEW scheme will give East Lancashire's rivers and waterways a boost.

Seven firms have been signed up to a new scheme to earn a WaterMark Award for riverside stewardship.

To gain an award, businesses must not only comply with waste and pollution control legislation, but also work towards extra environmental improvement and enhancement schemes.

The scheme is being piloted in East Lancashire, but if it proves successful, it could be extended to other areas.

The first firms to sign up to the project are Akzo Nobel and St Regis Paper Mill in Darwen, B&Q stores at Blackburn and Brierfield, Graham and Brown, Blackburn, North West Water's waste water treatment works in Great Harwood, Philips Components, Simonstone and Potterton Myson Ltd, Padiham.

The WaterMark scheme has been set up by REEL, River Enhancement East Lancashire, and the Darwen River Valley Initiative, supported by the Environment Agency, Groundwork, the Mersey Basin Campaign and Water Watch, as well as local authorities.

Nick Hepworth, the Environment Agency's REEL representative, said: "By signing up to WaterMark these companies are leading the way by making a firm and structured commitment to improving their local environment for the benefit of the community.

"In the past, rivers in the Calder and Darwen Valleys have had a rough deal because of pollution and insensitive developments.

"Now water quality is improving, and the WaterMark scheme will encourage businesses to work with local people to build on those improvements, and help create waterways we can all be proud of and enjoy."

The project is open to any business sited next to a stream, river or canal, that can commit to carrying out good solid waste management and pollution control, and enhance their local waterside.

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