'Floating ecosystems' installed on Nottingham canal

Volunteers filled the floating ecosystems with plants on Tuesday

New "floating ecosystems" have been installed along a section of the Nottingham and Beeston Canal.

The artificial reed beds which are made of coir rolls - cylinders of recycled plastic and coconut fibre - were filled with a variety of plants popular with pollinators before being placed in the water on Tuesday.

The Canal and River Trust said the beds would give the canal a more "natural feel" and attract more wildlife to the city centre.

Hannah Booth, environment manager for the trust, said: "The Nottingham and Beeston Canal was built over 200 years ago for navigation but today it also provides a unique corridor for nature, bringing a whole host of species right into the heart of the city."

George Olley said the idea was to "recreate" an ecosystem for wildlife

George Olley, from Biomatrix Water Solutions - which manufactures the floating ecosystems - said they should attract a variety of species.

"The idea is to create that riparian habitat in an urban environment like Nottingham's canals where they're very hard, engineered surfaces and you've got nowhere for the wildlife to establish.

"We're recreating that ecosystem where fish, invertebrates, swans, they can all get a hold in the city and bring it back to life," he said.

The project was awarded money from the £25m Species Survival Fund, established under the previous government.

The reed beds were placed in the water on Tuesday

The charity said it had already installed about 200 sq m (2,150 sq ft) of the floating ecosystems along the canal over recent years.

Stephen Hardy, communications manager from the trust, said the established reed beds were "flourishing".

"Obviously it's a balance because the canal is navigable for boats so we have to make sure we're leaving plenty of room for passing boats.

"We'd love to see lots more reed beds not just along the Nottingham and Beeston Canal but other canals in the East Midlands," he said.