Work is about to get underway on restoring the Afon Ogwen and its tributaries in Eryri.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is funding a joint project aimed at reducing the risk of flooding in downstream areas while also reducing erosion by slowing the flow of water.

It's hope the scheme, supported by National Trust Cymru, will also help to improve the health of the river by allowing it to behave more naturally again and creating new wildlife habitats.

Sarah Aubrey, senior environment officer at NRW, said: "By making space for water, improving habitat and restoring vital natural processes, we’re helping build a healthier, more resilient river system for wildlife and local people."

"We’re pleased to be working in partnership with National Trust Cymru, and to be supporting this phase through our Nature and Climate Emergency (NaCE) funding."

The first phase, due to start by the end of the month, will focus on the Afon Cywion, a tributary that flows below Blaen y Nant farm in Nant Ffrancon.

It will take about two weeks to remove material that has built up from arisings dredged from the riverbed, which currently acts a bund, trapping the river and disconnecting it from its natural floodplain.

The material will then be stored nearby and used in the next phase of restoration work.

Part of the stone wall at the lower end of Cae Twmffat, alongside Afon Ogwen, will also be dismantled - it was originally built during an earlier phase of restoration work, with the stone being reused to build new boundary walls around the farmyard.

By reconnecting the river to its floodplain, it will also create wetland habitat, restore exposed river gravel environments and allow natural gravel to flow into the Afon Ogwen.

NRW says these improvements will support spawning areas for salmon and sea trout and create better conditions for river dependent birds such as dippers, common sandpipers and kingfishers.

Dewi Davies, a National Trust project manager, added: "We’re restoring natural processes and improving habitats at Blaen y Nant so that the landscape is healthier and better for nature in the future."

"This is an important farm that we are looking to re-let soon, and more resilient habitats will dovetail with the future farming model."