The revival of nine chalk rivers in Norfolk is being celebrated at a free conference which is open to the public this week.

Fakenham & Wells Times: A new stretch of the River Glaven on the Bayfield estate is opened.Picture: ANTONY KELLYA new stretch of the River Glaven on the Bayfield estate is opened.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

The event, being staged at Northrepps near Cromer, will feature a range of speakers and a choice of two site tours.

There are only 200 chalk rivers in the world - and conservation work over recent years has ensured Norfolk's quota of naturally-rich watercourses have been made more natural, opened up to public understanding and protected from pressures including pollution and loss of habitat.

And now River Guardians are set to keep on working on and keeping an eye on them into the future.

The conference - on Thursday June 18 June from 9.30am to 4pm is run by the Norfolk Rivers Trust and hosted at Templewood.

Speakers include Robin Combe of Bayfield Hall, talking about the restoration which has taken place on the Glaven.

Other rivers covered by the £1.3m project are the Gaywood, Babingley, Ingol, Heacham, Hun, Burn, Stiffkey, and Mun.

Gemma Clark, 9 Chalk Rivers community involvement officer, said the day would celebrate the achievements of the Nine Chalk Rivers project.

Many rivers had 'straightened out, silted up and fallen out of sight of local people.'

But projects had seen the Babingley regain crystal clear water, improved fish stocks and irises and watercress bloom on the banks.

People were getting involved through restoration work, school projects or keeping in touch via newsletters and social media.

After lunch, there is a choice of two walks: to a nearby new filter bed system improving water quality or a stroll along the Mun to its new community nature reserve.

A full report of the practical work achieved is available through the Norfolk Rivers Trust website www.norfolkriverstrust.org

To book a place at the conference contact 01328 850530 or aonb@norfolk.gov.uk