NATURE lovers can learn how the health of local wildlife reveals the health of a Keighley river.

The River Worth Friends are organising an ecology talk on Wednesday June 19 by experts on trout and bats.

The Cobbles & Clay café in Main Street, Haworth, will host the 7pm event which will also feature an update of the work of the Aire Rivers Trust.

Professor Jonathon Grey, described as an “academic heavyweight” and an expert in aquatic ecosystems, will speak about the Native Brown Trout.

A conservation officer with the Wild Trout Trust, he works with clubs and landowners to make life better for wild trout.

A Friends spokesman said: “The Wild Trout Trust uses our native brown trout as a sentinel species for the health of a river, and works with bodies from grass roots organisations to Government to improve habitats for wildlife.

“There are many projects along the upper Aire which are beginning to demonstrate positive change, some of which will be highlighted in the talk.”

Ian Butterfield, former project manager for the Forest of Bradford and bat officer with West Yorkshire Bat Group, will outline local bat species, their ecology, and how they interact with the River Worth

The River Worth Friends work to raise the status of the River Worth in the hearts and minds of people in Keighley.

The group, supported by regeneration body Keighley Big Local, is a mutual support network of people interested in, caring for or promoting the river and surrounding area.

Big Local coordinator Shaun O’Hare said: “The brainchild of Big Local resident Phil Sheridan, River Worth Friends has been very successful in raising awareness of the river and connecting people and activity along it.

“This is great for Keighley Big Local as what happens at source and in the head waters of the river has an effect ‘downstream’- it is in the Keighley Big Local area that the River Worth empties into the Aire.

“We’ve made great links with residents, organised groups and business along the river, pulling together a great bunch of folk who are sharing key transferable skills such as teamwork, organisation, communication and problem solving.”

The River With friends of already had a talk by the Aire Rivers Trust and held a “Pint & Pakora” litter-pick along the riverbank with Wishbone Brewery of Dalton Lane.