An Environment Agency scheme to create wildlife habitats for some of the UK's most endangered species is under way at Kedleston Hall.
The improvements, costing more than £112,000 will be made to 10km of the Mercaston and Markeaton Brooks, which run through the National Trust property's parkland.
The scheme aims to improve water quality in the area to support endangered species such as otters, water voles, white clawed crayfish and bats.
It will also increase habitat for the less well-known Water Crowfoot, a species of plant which provides shelter for damselflies and dragonflies.
Work will include coppicing bankside trees to allow more light to penetrate the streams and helping the growth of natural aquatic plants that provide places for crayfish, bull head, trout and other fish to live.
The project is being run by a partnership of several groups including Derby City Council, the Environment Agency, Friends of Markeaton Brook, the Kedleston Estate and farmers who have given access to their land.
Project officer Kath Stapley, who will oversee the work, said: "I am thrilled to be working for the National Trust, which plays a leading role in the care of the countryside.
"The project is an important scheme for Kedleston, the whole of the Mercaston and Markeaton Brooks catchment and its wildlife and I am keen to get started and to make it a success."
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