A MAJOR tree-planting exercise is set to take place between Bacup and Todmorden - in a bid to head off future flooding headaches.

Utility bosses are planning to install an initial 3,000 trees in the South Pennine, above Gorpley Reservoir, to begin the exercise.

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Restoration work will also be undertaken on blanket bogs around the same area, as sphagnum moss can absorb rainwater and slow down flooding impacts.

Critics in the Calder Valley, where homes and businesses in Todmorden and Cornholme have been repeatedly hit by flash floods for the past 20 years, had reacted with dismay following the government's national 'resilience' review, claiming steps to prevent moorland run-offs had been ignored.

But now Yorkshire Water will be teaming up with the White Rose Forest initiative to push forward plans to install trees on land near Gorpley, which lies to the east of Bacup and south-west of Todmorden.

Granville Davies, asset strategy strategy manager for Yorkshire Water, said: "The flooding at Christmas 2015 had a devastating impact on communities in the Calder Valley.

"We fully recognise the responsibility for all agencies involved in flood management to work together to devise innovative solutions to reduce the risk of flooding."

Forty-three hectares of blanket bog have been identified for improvement and the company wants carry out other remedial projects, like repairing dams on smaller watercourses, strengthening river banks and creating a patchwork of wetland areas on upland estates.

Water bosses have confirmed that Gorpley Reservoir is now mainly used to tackle flooding, with the Environment Agency aiming to keep it at least 73 per cent full or below, so it can act as a 'sink' in times of heavy rainfall.

Guy Thompson, of the White Rose Forest group, added: "We very much look forward to working with local partners, businesses and the farming community to help design and deliver a resilient and long-lasting transformation of this site that will provide not only flood risk benefits but also strengthen ecological networks and create a fantastic place to visit for years to come."

The scheme could eventually see 200,000 trees planted across the wider South Pennines area.