East Yorkshire 'pop-up rainforests' plan to reduce flood risk

Cover crops such as legumes or cereals can help improve soil quality, Yorkshire Water said

Farmers in East Yorkshire plan to plant "pop-up rainforests" in a bid to reduce the risk of flooding.

The project will see 20 farmers grow a minimum of 10 hectares of cover crops, according to Yorkshire Water, which is funding the scheme.

The plants would also improve soil quality and reduce the amount of unwanted nutrients entering waterways.

Andrew Walker from the firm said early trials showed "a significant benefit to soil health and water quality".

The improvement in water quality as a result of the project would reduce the need for costly treatments, Yorkshire Water said.

The programme would involve the farmers planting the cover crops, known as "pop-up rainforests", as part of their normal rotations.

Fertilisers including nitrogen would be held in the soil instead of running into local waterways and the soil structure would be strengthened, meaning it could hold more water during heavy rainfall, the company said.

Mr Walker said: "We've seen from the four previous trials of this programme, that growing cover crops has a significant benefit to soil health and water quality.

"Increasing soil organic matter is one of the most effective ways of combating the major environmental issues we face today."