A NORTH-East river could become a haven for fish thanks to a low-tech scheme to combat flooding and climate change, experts claim.

Fisheries staff from the Environment Agency have been working with anglers and landowners at Houghall, near Durham, to devise a sustainable way of increasing fish stocks without having to frequently restock the River Wear.

Fish numbers have struggled due to more heavy rain making the Wear more fast-flowing.

Officers have created a channel of open water linked to the main river, giving struggling fish somewhere to hide and juveniles somewhere to mature.

Wild flowers and trees are to be planted to encourage more wildlife and staff recently spotted otter tracks.

Fisheries officer Paul Frear said: "The haven is a sustainable alternative to restocking the river with fish every year.

"More fish in the Wear river system will help to attract more wildlife to the river banks, which in turn helps to make the area more attractive to local communities, anglers and tourists.

"This is a simple solution, which will help to bring benefits to both people and wildlife."

It is hoped the haven will benefit fish such as dace, chub, roach and barbel.