WILDLIFE watchers around Bolton are being asked to help out with an environmental survey.

The Mersey Basin Campaign is asking for reports of sightings of kingfishers and dragonflies.

The brightly-coloured kingfisher and several species of dragonfly are indicators of how clean rivers and streams are.

Mersey Basin Trust Director Tony Jones said: "Kingfishers and dragonflies are excellent indicators of clean water. We want people out walking along rivers, streams and canals to help us build up a picture of where water is cleanest."

The Mersey Basin Campaign was launched in 1985 as a 25-year project to clean up what was then the most polluted river system in Europe.

The campaign brings together local councils, businesses, voluntary organisations and central Government and progress has already been made with the clean up.

Kingfishers are usually seen as a sudden flash of brilliant blue as they dive beneath the water to snatch their prey - usually fish and invertebrates. The most likely dragonfly sighting to be had is the Brown Hawker - very common around Bolton - which is about 2.5 inches long.

Lucky spotters may come across the very rare and beautiful Emperor dragonfly. It is about the same size as the Brown Hawker but comes in two colours: the males are blue and the females are green.

The survey will last until September 30 and people can report sightings by filling in a freepost reply card. The card is available from libraries or from the Mersey Basin Trust on 0161 228 6924.

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