Project to protect freshwater pearl mussels in Gwynedd river

Work has started to help protect a rare freshwater shellfish in its last remaining stronghold in Wales.

The freshwater pearl mussel, which was once common throughout Europe, has its only population in Wales in the Afon Eden, near Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd.

Now workers are excavating land close to streams that feed into the Eden to improve water quality for the mussels.

They will create 11 ponds to act as a natural filter for nutrients and pollutants before they reach the river.

Matthew Richards reports.