THREATENED white-clawed crayfish are being helped to make a comeback in Wimborne’s River Allen.

River restoration is providing exactly the right habitat for Britain’s native crayfish, with clean water and gravel as well as woody debris or large stones for shelter.

The freshwater crustacean is under threat from the more aggressive, disease carrying American signal crayfish. Introduced into the UK only 20-years-ago, it has wiped out almost 95 per cent of the native species.

And fears have been raised that the white-clawed crayfish faces extinction from UK waters in 30-years unless new populations can be created in safe waters.

A new wildlife partnership with Bournemouth and West Hants Water is funding Dorset Wildlife Trust’s River Allen restoration scheme.

It continues the work that fishing clubs and local farmers have been doing to maintain the river and encourage wildlife such as wading birds back to the area.

“The River Allen is one of the best habitats in Dorset for our native crayfish,” said Sarah Williams, conservation officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust.

“With only four rivers in the whole county where they live, the scheme is very important in protecting them. We are very grateful to Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water for their support on this latest project, which will help all sorts of wildlife to thrive,” she said.

Roger Harrington, technical director of the water company, which is a long-term supporter of the trust, said they were delighted to be helping improve the habitat of the river.

“This is an important local chalk stream which runs through the centre of Wimborne. It follows on from other work we have supported over the years aimed at ensuring its habitats and wildlife flourish,” he said.