IT was all hands to the pumps on Saturday for Environment Agency staff as they welcomed guests to a special open day in Bridgwater to highlight work to tackle flooding

The event was an opportunity for local residents to learn about the Environment Agency’s work and see some of the improvements made across the Somerset Moors and Levels since last year’s floods.

Headquarters for the day was be Bradney Depot near Bridgwater, with a selection of excavators, weed cutters and temporary flood defences on display.

There was also a display of aquatic plants and animals and the Environment Agency’s Fisheries and Biodiversity staff will be on hand to explain how we are tackling invasive species such as the Signal Crayfish.

Kids could get involved thanks to electro fishing equipment, badge making and colouring-in kits.

Nearby pumping stations, Currymoor, Northmoor, West Sedgemoor, Gold Corner and Huish Episcopi were also opened to the public and minibus tours to key flood risk sites which have been refurbished in the last 15 months to improve flood protection for local businesses and communities.

Nick Gupta, Wessex area manager at the Environment Agency, said: ‘We’ve made many significant improvements over the past year which show how important our flood risk management work is to us. The Environment Agency has a wide remit including a range of work to benefit local wildlife and we’re keen to share all this good work with the public.

Joining the Environment Agency on the day were the RSPB, the Internal Drainage Board, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Hawk and Owl Trust.