THE Roundmoor Ditch river restoration project near Eton Wick is nearing completion - and now the charity Thames21 which has led the project is organising training sessions for the community so that its good work can be carried on into the new year.

There are also a number of events planned in January and February to complete the river restoration work, where supporters can learn conservation techniques while they explore the beautiful Dorney Common site. Visit Poppy.Flint@thames21.org.uk for more details.

Work to restore the stream which consists of 750m of river across Dorney Common began back in July with a succession of conservation events led by Thames 21 working closely with Eton Wick Waterways Group, Thames Valley Angling Association, the Environment Agency, Dorney Court Estate and Eton College.

Volunteers worked to prevent erosion to the riverbank, while planting vegetation to attract a wide variety of river life and increase cover for fish.

Over the summer and autumn months the cattle grid on Tilestone Bridge, Eton Wick became a regular meeting place for volunteers and the project even attracted the attention of the BBC, featuring on Radio 4's Farming Today programme.

The ditch has been plagued by pollution problems over the years. But the recent project is part of a growing determination in Eon Wick and Dorney to protect its future.